Connecting Auckland to the Airport and allowing cross town transit draws closer with Airport to Botany Stage 2

Trust the news to arrive while I was (ironically) in Manukau on business in regards to Airport to Botany Rapid Transit when the news on A2B Stage arrived. This from NZTA:

Southwest Gateway Programme open for feedback

18 November 2019

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Transport and Auckland Airport are welcoming community feedback on a range of connected transport projects, improving travel choice and reliability around south and east Auckland, including to and from the airport.

The Southwest Gateway programme consists of both early and long-term projects that work together to provide reliable and efficient transport choices for South Aucklanders while also improving the safety of people and freight movements in the area.

“Feedback will build on the work developed together with partners, stakeholders and the community so far and will shape the future direction of the Southwest Gateway programme while acknowledging the high cultural and environmental values of the area,” says Transport Agency’s General Manager for Transport Services Brett Gliddon.

A key component of the programme is the Airport to Botany Rapid Transit link that will improve access to employment centres and development areas including Puhinui, Manukau and Botany. It will complete a gap in Auckland’s rapid transit network, connecting with local buses, the Eastern Busway and southern and eastern train lines.

“There’s been great progress on the early deliverables of the Southwest Gateway programme with Puhinui Station currently under construction. The station will provide a high-quality interchange allowing for easy connections between bus and train,” says Auckland Transport’s Chief Executive Shane Ellison.

“We are really looking forward to hear views which will help shape the early improvements to walking and cycling facilities and bus priority and transit lanes, as well as longer-term projects including the proposed preferred rapid transit route and stations, that will really improve connectivity in south and east Auckland.”

Auckland Airport Chief Executive, Adrian Littlewood, says the airport is not only a transport, trade and tourism hub, it’s one of the country’s fastest growing business precincts.

“Auckland Airport is home to more than 800 businesses with 20,000 people coming to work at the airport every day. Over the next 30 years we expect more than 27,000 full-time roles to be created in the airport precinct. We want those people along to enjoy safe and efficient connections.”

Community feedback opens from today (Monday 18 November) and people can provide their views in a number of ways including in person at one of the eight community drop in sessions, online or freepost feedback forms.

www.nzta.govt.nz/southwest-gateway

Feedback is open to Sunday, 8 December 2019.

About the Southwest Gateway Programme

Southwest Auckland is an area of high cultural value and we are working with Mana Whenua to better understand these values and how we can protect them. We are committed to managing environmental effects on the local area including waterways and stormwater and where possible, enhancing the existing environment.

Airport to Botany Rapid Transit

Airport to Botany Rapid Transit will deliver a frequent transit system between the airport, Manukau and Botany. It will improve transport choice, reliability and journey times and connect to the rail network at Manukau Station and an upgraded Puhinui Station.

at.govt.nz/AtoB(external link)

20Connect

20Connect will improve journey reliability and safety along State Highways 20, 20A and 20B.  It will provide priority lanes for public transport, improve access and safety as well as better walking and cycling connections.

nzta.govt.nz/20connect(external link)

Auckland Airport Precinct Improvements

Auckland Airport Precinct Improvements will deliver consistent reliable journeys on a network that supports a shift to public transport options.

aucklandairport.co.nz/airport-of-the-future/transport(external link)

The NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.

Source: NZTA

I have been waiting for the Stage 2 news with great anticipation since it was mentioned in the Auckland Transport Board papers last month – and now here it is.

Continuing from NZTA and Auckland Transport:

How community feedback has been used to date

In November and December 2018, the Southwest Gateway programme team held nine community engagement events – updating the local community on progress, next steps and listened to feedback.

In addition, we met with local government, Mana Whenua and key interest groups.

The key themes raised during engagement were:

• safety
• connectivity and integration of projects with other infrastructure (current and proposed future) in south and east Auckland
• customer centric public transport
• potential environmental and social opportunities and effects
• growth and development.

To find out more about the feedback we have received visit: Engagement Summary Highlights

To read the full engagement summary report, please visit here: Engagement Summary Full Report

Next steps

We have completed further technical work, investigated a range of options and started to develop a preferred route for the Airport to Botany Rapid Transit corridor. We’ve also identified walking and cycling improvements along Puhinui Road and Lambie Drive, as well as proposed bus lane operational times.

We’ve also further developed supporting state highway improvements and walking and cycling links in the area and we want to hear your views.

Your feedback will give us a better understanding of the programme area, your needs, and any improvements that can be made. Once we have received and analysed all feedback, we will use it to refine the proposals.

You can share your thoughts by:

• completing an online feedback form at www.nzta.govt.nz/southwest-gateway
• downloading a feedback from and positing it back to us using the freepost envelope
• or come along to one of our community open days.

Feedback is open to Sunday, 8 December 2019

Community Open Days

Come along to an open day to view information about the overall programme and proposed improvements, talk to the Southwest Gateway team, and have your say. The open days are being held at the following times and locations:

• Saturday, 23 November 9am – 6pm Westfield Manukau (outside Farmers), Corner of Great South Road and Manukau Station Road
• Sunday, 24 Nov 10am – 5:30pm Westfield Manukau (outside Farmers), Corner of Great South Road and Manukau Station Road
• Wednesday, 27 November 3pm – 7pm New World Papatoetoe, 65 St George Street
• Saturday, 30 November 7am – 12pm Otara Markets, 46 Fair Mall
• Wednesday, 4 December 9:30am – 1:30pm Papakura Library, 209 Great South Road, Papakura
• Thursday, 5 December 3pm – 7pm Countdown Botany, Corner Te Irirangi Drive and Ti Rakau Drive
• Friday, 6 December 5pm – 7pm Tupu Youth Library, 102 Dawson Rd, Ōtara
• Saturday, 7 December 9am – 3pm Kāinga Ora, 12 Waddon Place, Māngere

Source: NZTA

The Route Map (note the extension to Howick in the future)

Journey times

From	To	Time
Airport	Manukau	18-19 min
Manukau	Botany	18-21 min
Airport	Papakura	31-33 min
Airport	Botany	36-40 min
Airport	Britomart	45-50 min

Lots to look at before feedback as well as making sure the Transit Orientated Developments are squared up as well.

I see the Rapid Transit Stations are marked down, hmm looks familiar:

Some juggling around but the concept is the same.

Also:

So get your Feedback in. Auckland Transport want the entire project complete and online by 2028 with it going to Howick after that!