Transit's toll plan could cost motorists $10 a trip

Auckland motorists could pay as much as $10 to use the new Western Motorway ring route under proposals announced by Transit today.

It said seven tolling points would be introduced under the scheme, with drivers paying no more than $2 for a single toll and no more than $10 for the whole route.

Aucklanders are being asked if they are willing to pay tolls in an effort to speed up the completion of the $2 billion motorway.

Transit needs to raise $800 million to help fund the 48km road network between Manukau City in the south and Albany north of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Transit said motorists travelling the full length of the route could cut up to 40 minutes off their trip during the morning peak-hour traffic. Reduced tolls would apply for off-peak and at night.

Cameras which can record number plates would initally be introduced, but motorists could later have transponders equipped to their windscreen for a fast electronic toll collection system. This would mean no slowing down and stopping to pay at a booth.

Public consultation on Transit's plan started today, with each household receiving a mailout of the proposal and information centres set up for people to have their say.

The Government's roading agency has previously warned that without tolls the new roads could take 20 years to build.

The long-planned Western ring route is designed to by-pass Auckland's notoriously congested CBD, Spaghetti Junction and the Harbour Bridge.

Transit chairman David Stubbs said the tolling together with government funding already spent or tagged for the route - $1.3 billion - could see the route opened as early as 2015.

Crossing

Mr Stubbs said, in particular, the Manukau Harbour crossing could open in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

"Early completion of the motorway would have a significant regional and national economic pay-off," he said.

"Just as importantly, it means less time stuck in traffic for Aucklanders -- more time to spend at home, work and play. "

Opening the Western ring route involves completing missing links and adding new lanes to combine the Southwestern (SH20), Northwestern (SH16) and Upper Harbour (SH18) Highways.

Much of the route involves building new sections of motorway.

Transit said tolls would need to remain in place for at least 35 years to collect enough revenue.

Aucklanders have until 5pm on December 4 to complete a response form, either online or using a form included in the household mailout.

>> More information from Transit
>> Map of the Western ring route


- NZPA