- Hon Chris Bishop
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has today published a new strategy for getting more out of Auckland’s motorway network, setting out how smarter traffic management, targeted investment, and wider transport improvements will help keep the city moving as it grows, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say.
“Auckland’s motorway network carries around 1.5 million trips every day and is critical to keeping people and freight moving. As Auckland grows, we need to get more from the motorway network we’ve already built while continuing to invest where extra capacity is genuinely needed,” Mr Bishop says.
“In many parts of the network we’ve already widened motorways as much as is practical, so a shift towards a more balanced and strategic approach with targeted investment will play an increasingly important role.
“The Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan (AMSP) sets out how we will achieve that shift in approach over the next 30+ years as Auckland’s population grows beyond two million people. The plan focuses on three core outcomes:
- Optimising the existing network – making better use of the network we’ve already got through smarter traffic management, quicker responses to crashes and breakdowns, small-scale improvements, and delivering Time of Use Charging.
- Targeted increases in capacity – adding extra capacity where bottlenecks are impacting efficiency, progressively delivering rapid transit, closing critical gaps in active mode networks where they interact with motorways, prioritising projects to increase capacity and address resilience risks.
- Wider system improvements – improving the wider transport system, including public transport capacity, rail network improvements, and local roads/active modes, so fewer trips need to use the motorway network.
“This practical, long-term approach supports the Government’s focus on improving freight efficiency, building a more resilient transport network, and supporting economic growth.
“The motorway network is only one part of Auckland’s wider transport system. Keeping Auckland moving means making sure roads, public transport, walking and cycling connections all work well together,” Mr Bishop says.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the plan provides a shared long-term direction for improving the city’s motorway network and is another achievement from the Auckland Regional Deal.
“People and businesses want to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time getting where they need to go,” Mayor Brown says.
“This plan recognises that we can’t simply keep widening motorways forever. We need to make better use of the network we’ve got through optimisation and investing in small, sensible projects that will make the biggest difference for Aucklanders.
“It’s also about making sure roads, public transport, freight and the wider transport network work together to keep Auckland moving as the city grows.
“It aligns with my focus on low-cost fixes to get Auckland moving and deliver an efficient, reliable network that benefits Aucklanders.
“The Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan reflects the strong partnership between Auckland Council and the Government which continues to embed the principles of the regional deal and provides an important foundation for Auckland’s long-term transport planning.
“This isn’t a construction programme or a funding announcement. It’s a long-term strategy that will help shape future investment decisions as Auckland continues to grow.”
The Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan will be a key input into Auckland’s upcoming 30-year statutory transport plan. Projects identified in the plan will be considered through future regional and national planning, funding and delivery processes.
Notes to editor:
- Investment decisions will be subject to prioritisation through the available funds (National Land Transport Fund) and the current Government Policy Statement (Transport), and if successful will become part of the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
- The plan is available to view here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/auckland-motorway-strategic-plan
