Plan and Check before you go As New Zealand gets ready for the great summer road trips NZTA have released this PDF to help you avoid the jams over … Continue reading Avoiding Those (Traffic) Jams
Tag: NZTA
East West Connections Feedback Acknowledged
More Feedback next year Earlier this year Auckland Transport and NZTA asked for initial feedback on the range of options for the East West Connections (formerly East-West Link) on … Continue reading East West Connections Feedback Acknowledged
NZTA Recommends City Rail Link Sooner Rather Later
NZTA Briefs Minister, Minister Warm to the Idea
Source: pic.twitter.com/vjQZfMUeex
NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency) has recently briefed new Transport Minister Simon Bridges of activities the organisation is up to and keeping an eye on presently and for the future. This Briefing Incoming Ministers (or BiM) is routine and occurs after an election or when a Minister changes over for that respective Ministry.
The BIM to the Minister can be read below:
Of note I did pick the up the following in regards to the City Rail Link from NZTA:
5.8 CITY RAIL LINK – AUCKLAND
Auckland Council and Auckland Transport are continuing to plan, design and acquire property for the City Rail Link. The City Rail Link is now being delivered in two distinct parts.
Phase One is the enabling works to build two rail tunnels between Britomart under Queen Street and the Downtown Shopping Centre, and a ‘cut and cover’ tunnel under Albert Street as far as Wyndham Street. The enabling works are planned for 2016 to 2017 to coincide with the planned
redevelopment of the Downtown Shopping Centre by Precinct Properties Ltd. Auckland Council is budgeting between $240 million and $250 million for these works. The aim is to complete the enabling works before the World Masters Games in April 2017. We think this is a sensible sequencing of enabling works which will minimise disruption of critical intersections in the CBD, and enable compliance with the planning conditions that only one intersection can be out of action at any one time. A more compact construction schedule at a later time would prove too disruptive.
Phase Two is the tunnel boring machine and station building stages of the project. This phase could start as early as 2018 and be completed by 2022 at a cost of around $2 billion. Design and procurement decisions for this phase could be taken progressively from 2015/16 onwards, but are dependent on future funding decisions and commitments. The Crown is not currently an active partner in the City Rail Link project implementation. The government has signalled it will only consider being a funding partner to enable a construction start in 2020, or possibly earlier if certain patronage or other targets are achieved. The risk of not being involved in these early stages is that the key elements of the project get determined in the meantime. If the Crown is to be a future funding partner it needs a mechanism to identify options and risks around planning, design, procurement and financing. We have experience in complex infrastructure projects of the scale of the City Rail Link. One mechanism to help manage Crown risk could be for the Transport Agency to become a technical partner with Auckland Transport in developing the City Rail Link. This would be consistent with the one transport system arrangements that have been forged with Auckland Transport and Auckland Council over the last 3-4 years.
…….
Source: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/briefing-for-incoming-minister/docs/briefing-to-incoming-minister-2014.pdf (page 25)
Minister Simon Bridges talks about the two phases to NewsTalk ZB earlier today: Simon Bridges: Auckland’s City Rail Link.
So it seems the Minister is quite warm to the City Rail Link being split into two phases as NZTA has recommended insofar as the Minister has given his blessing for phase one to begin (that is the enabling works) as soon as Council has its own finances sorted.
As for Phase Two the Minister right at the end of the interview gave a one word answer that all things lined up and considered, would allow this phase of the CRL to begin in 2018.
All this would bring the City Rail Link two-phase operation in line with what Councillor Linda Cooper tried to get through in the Budget Committee last week (Analysis on The Budget Committee Day One) which to me would have been a good “fail safe” device knowing the Government is holding firm to 2020. However, and rather stupidly the majority of the Budget Committee led by the Mayor are holding fast to whole hogging the CRL from 2016 no matter what.
For me and as noted in three City Rail Link podcasts what NZTA has proposed is a good Best of Both Worlds solution and would be entirely consistent with my calling to start the CRL around the 2017/2018 start date. That said it would be my stance over the last three years (when I last updated it from my original Auckland Plan submission) slightly updated to allow the enabling works so that we are in sync with the Precinct Property development in Downtown Auckland.
So NZTA has moved first and we have a Minister giving his blessing to the enabling works at the minimum while warm to Phase Two starting 2018 all things considered. Now would be a very good idea for Council to agree to the NZTA two-phase operation for the sanctity of the City Rail Link. In other words for an inflexible Mayor to be come a tad more flexible.
CRL Recent Podcasts
The Weekend Analysis – Capacity and Frequencies open with The City Rail Link
School Safety on the Cards
NZTA and Auckland Transport Streamline Funding Processes
From NZTA (and Auckland Transport)
School safety benefits from streamlined funding process
Projects to improve safety around several schools in Auckland are being fast-tracked through a new streamlined funding process developed between the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Auckland Transport (AT).
The projects are part of AT’s Safety Around Schools initiative, which is primarily focused on 20 high risk schools located in Otahuhu, Mangere, Otara, and the eastern suburbs of Manukau from Howick to Botany Downs. They include the installation of pedestrian crossings and refugee islands, 40kph school zone speed limit signage, and cycle lanes.
Total cost of the projects is $4.5m. The Transport Agency is covering $2.4 million of the cost (53%), and AT the remainder.
In the past, both AT and the Transport Agency would review and approve funding applications. Under the streamlined process introduced earlier this year, AT can review and approve funding applications for projects under $5m using the Transport Agency’s funding criteria.
“It means that funding can be delivered more quickly than in the past,” says the Transport Agency Planning and Investment Manager Coralie O’Brien. “Helping improve safety for children around schools is a very positive example of how the simplified process works.”
AT’s Community and Road Safety Manager, Karen Hay, says the Safety Around Schools initiative also aims to reduce morning congestion by encouraging people to walk and cycle and use public transport as an alternative to the car.
“This is having a significant impact on congestion and pollution. Initiatives have reduced the number of cars delivering students to school by 12,000 during each morning rush hour. That equates to 2.4 million trips saved every year without even counting the trips saved in the afternoons.”
AT is also investigating further safety initiatives for schools in central Auckland, and in the west and north of the city.
One of the Transport Agency’s roles is to provide funds from its National Land Transport Programme to help councils and their organisations deliver a range of public transport, roading and cycling and walking projects for their communities.
Transport Agency funds are gathered from excise duties on fuel, road user charges and vehicle registration fees and re-invested in transport-related projects like AT’s Safety Around Schools initiative.
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Source: NZTA website
Good to see this happening. That said I have not forgotten about the Southern Motorway upgrades including the Takanini Interchange upgrade which caused some concerns around lack of bus lanes in the given area. I am waiting for the next phase of the development to be complete to see what comes up before firing any relevant questions off again – to Auckland Transport.
NZTA and AT Seek Feedback on East-West Connections
Community Feedback sort on East-West Connections Feedback time on the multi-million dollar East West Connections otherwise formerly known as the East West Link which attracted earlier controversy when a … Continue reading NZTA and AT Seek Feedback on East-West Connections
Helping Out Our Neighbours
Cash for help promote active transport
Walking and cycling is about to become more attractive in the suburb of Mangere thanks to the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, Auckland Transport, and NZTA stepping up and investing in better walk/cycleways around the Mangere Town Centre Area.
From the NZ Herald
$7m walking and cycling plan to get residents of deprived area out of cars
By Mathew Dearnaley 5:00 AM Tuesday Sep 23, 2014
Mangere Central, one of the country’s most economically and socially challenged enclaves, is in line for an urban project that will make walking and cycling safer.
Researchers with a $3 million government grant have spent 18 months getting close to the community to discover what it would take to get residents out of their cars and into healthier exercise habits.
They are backed to the hilt by the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, which has voted to spend about $1.7 million on three projects which will among other things form a 2km recreational walking and cycling circuit from Mangere town centre, taking in Windrush Reserve and Mascot Ave.
The reserve has a bad crime record, including a history of sex attacks, but board chairwoman Lydia Sosene hopes opening it up as part of a circuit with good lighting and see-through fences will encourage more people including family groups to use it for fitness and recreation as well as easier access to the town centre.
….
Ms Sosene expected the initiative to be “a huge game changer” which would lift her community by making it safer and easier to get moving.
Future streets
What it is: Urban design, public health and road safety project for Mangere Central.
What it will cost: About $7 million (including a $3 million four-year government research grant).
When changes will be seen: From next year.
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The Full article can be seen here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11329562
I take my hat off to the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board for driving this campaign to improve the street and urban landscape one bit at a time to encourage more people being active in their community and less reliant on the car.
Now to get small schemes like this rolled out City wide.
Prime Minister Endorses Sky Path
National Warm on Skypath
The Prime Minister, and Mayor Len Brown opened the Grafton Gully Cycleway this morning.
While I was not there I have seen plenty of photos of the event (when Spark does not keep dropping my internet out). One thing that caught my attention was this:
The Prime Minister has endorsed Skypath which is better than the two North Shore National Electorate MP’s as well as Ward Councillor George Wood who all seem to be trying to throw spanners into Skypath’s progress
I asked what did it mean when the PM endorsed Skypath and it was said:
So nothing full committal but if National gets their Third Term the Government might via NZTA give some assistance in getting Skypath built. That is fine whether the Government fully funds it or sticks with the Public Private Partnership which means a toll, I am not particular fussed.
But good to see the PM come out and have a ride down the Cycleway after which he gave a warm response to Skypath.
As they say: “Good things take time”
NZTA to Begin Work On the Hill Street, Warkworth Intersection
Construction to begin this Summer
Of all times NZTA were to pick it had to be in the Summer peak season too…
From NZTA
Summer start for Warkworth’s Hill Street improvements
People in the Rodney area will have their opportunity later this month to find out more about improvements to the State Highway 1/Hill Street intersection in Warkworth before the NZ Transport Agency starts construction this summer. The Transport Agency’s open day will be held on Saturday 16 August from 10am to 2pm in the Old Masonic Hall in Baxter Street, Warkworth.
Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon, says the open day is a chance for the Transport Agency to explain in more detail its interim improvements for the intersection.
“We are committed to delivering these improvements this summer, but accept that these are not the final solution for Hill Street. As part of the longer term plans for Hill Street, we will continue to investigate the traffic impacts of the new Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway, the Western Collector and potential projects such as the Matakana Link,” Mr Gliddon says.
The interim improvements at the intersection include:
- widening the northbound approach on SH1, and increasing the capacity of the right turn lane into Matakana Road by extending it back to the intersection with Shoesmith Street.
- widening the corresponding southbound approach which will add some capacity for traffic turning left into Matakana Road.
- the southbound right turn lane from SH1 into Hill Street will be removed. This will improve traffic flow by giving more green light time to other traffic movements. It also provides additional space, easing the impact of construction. (alternative routes to access Hill Street are available via Hudson Road and Falls Road or Hudson and Albert Road)
- walkers and cyclists will benefit from a new wider shared path on the western side of SH1
- Improving the connection between Sandspit Road and Elizabeth Street.
Mr Gliddon says construction avoids the busiest holiday weekends of the year such as Labour Weekend and Christmas/New Year to minimise driver disruption. The improvements are expected to be finished before Easter 2015.
“We want to deliver these improvements as soon as possible with a minimum of disruption to drivers. The works will take place sequentially to keep traffic moving and minimise any inconvenience.”
Information about the project is also available online at www.nzta.govt.nz/warkworth
—ends—
Source: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/media/releases/3547/news.html
Okay so NZTA will avoid those Summer peaks with the Hill Street intersection interim improvements.
Southern Motorway Project Update
Graphics of the project available I went to the NZTA open day at the Papakura Library today to check out the initial designs for the Southern Motorway upgrade. For … Continue reading Southern Motorway Project Update
Speculation Second Harbour Crossing (as Road only) Could Be Accelerated
Labour questions Government on leaked document that states Prime Minister is set to announce advancing second harbour crossing in August (on the campaign)
I caught this from Labour’s Phil Twyford and thought that was the joke rather than Minister of Transport Gerry Brownlee offering up his resignation:
As expected Twitter lit up with a lot of people Tweeting their displeasure over this apparent upcoming announcement.
Road Only Auckland Harbour Crossing “Makes No Sense”
The Campaign for Better Transport said today that the Government’s idea of an additional road only Waitemata Harbour Crossing hasn’t been thought through.
“We all know that the Northern Motorway and approaches are notoriously congested at peak times, so local support probably stems from the belief that this congestion will somehow be solved,” said spokesperson Cameron Pitches.
“However, the net effect of a road only crossing will be that in the morning peak, the Auckland CBD will be flooded with thousands of extra single occupant cars looking for a car park. The Central Motorway Junction will also be a bottleneck without more lanes, but there is no room for more.
“And in the evening peak the already congested Northern Motorway will grind to a halt, as six lanes converge into three.”
Mr Pitches says a far better solution would be a rail only crossing that would extend from the City Rail Link to Albany on the North Shore.
“The Northern Busway is enormously popular and is a great example of a system that can carry far more people at peak times than single occupant cars. High capacity rail would be the logical next step.”
Mr Pitches said that a recent report identified that the cost of a rail link connecting the City Rail Link to Albany on the North Shore would be about $2.5bn.
“It is clear that the Government’s proposal and any alternatives have not been through Treasury’s better business case process. There is no urgency with the project either as the yet to be completed Western Ring Route is designed to reduce traffic volumes on the bridge,” said Mr Pitches.
The Government is yet to make an official announcement on how a new crossing would be funded, but Mr Pitches suspects it would have to be tolled due to the multi-billion dollar cost of the project.
“The Government also needs to be honest and reveal how much the toll will be for the new crossing, and if the current Harbour Bridge will be tolled as well.”
“It just makes no sense. The Government has just been caught out not doing a comprehensive assessment of alternatives for the Basin Reserve. You would think they would want to avoid making the same mistake twice,” concludes Mr Pitches.
For more analysis of the proposed Harbour Crossing, visit transportblog.co.nz: http://bit.ly/1niNuZq
—ends—
And of course I picked up this from Councillor George Wood: This will mean that the SkyPath will now not be required Keith. Savings all around.
I am also not particularly amused that all the millions spent on revitalising the City Centre and surrounds to turn it from its car dominated past into a more humanised place will be wasted with the City Centre to be turned back into a car sewer rat run thanks to the second crossing funnelling all the cars from the North Shore back into the City Centre…
Talking Southern Auckland 
