Waterview project 'bound to go ahead'

Auckland City Council is waiting for details of changes in the $1.4 billion Waterview motorway project, which is subject to a fast-tracked consent application by the Government.

The council's transport committee yesterday noted that the Government had announced a revised alignment and tunnelling plan for completing the State Highway 20 link.

An "expo" is planned this month to give public information on the link and the proposed new Waterview interchange at State Highway 16.

Transport committee chairman Ken Baguley said yesterday the project was bound to go ahead.

"But we will protect the locals."

He said the revised proposal announced in December appeared to offer improvement on the previous plan. The latest move suggested 205 properties would be demolished instead of 365.

"But we will get the details on that and people will be informed."

A council staff report said the NZ Transport Agency already owns 140 homes but still needs to buy 65. Of these 27 are newly affected.

In August, the council resolved to support the completion of the Western Ring Route subject to a number of conditions, including assurances that affected residents would be fairly compensated.