Tunnel vision claims over key urban connection

The delay of a major transport project may be a setback but West Auckland locals foresee more trouble when it opens.

Waterview became a construction site in late 2011 when houses were pulled down and machinery moved in to build the Waterview Connection.

Locals are worried it will have no positive impact for them after also enduring road closures, the primary school being moved, a speed decrease and increased traffic.

With the opening of the motorway project set for the beginning of this month, disruption looked to be coming to an end, but it has now been delayed for up to three months.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) announced in a press release last month that complex systems still needed to be tested and would not be completed in time.

Waterview resident Dale Robinson was disappointed when he found out he would not be able to easily access the tunnel.

“There is no on-ramp or off-ramp for the residents of Waterview, so we will have to go to Sandringham or on the motorway and off at Rosebank or St Lukes,” said Mr Robinson.

The Waterview Connection was presented to the community as something beneficial for locals when construction was completed.

“What a complete stuff-up. They were trying to decrease the traffic around Waterview and Pt Chevalier but this will not fix it, only keep it congested,” said Mr Robinson.

The new motorway will connect the Great North Rd State Highway 16 motorway interchange with State Highway 20 in South Auckland and provide drivers with an easier route to the airport.

The biggest feature of the project are the twin 2.4km-long road tunnels, the largest of their kind in New Zealand.

Brett Gliddon, Auckland Highway Manager for NZTA, believed constructing a link in Waterview or nearby would have been unfavorable.

“Local connections were considered, however these would have resulted in large increases in traffic on local streets and may have required properties to be removed to make space for on and off ramps.”

NZTA expects the Waterview Connection will encourage vehicles to use different routes. “When the tunnel opens, traffic on local roads, including Great North Rd, is expected to reduce,” said Mr Gliddon.

Matt Lowrie from Greater Auckland, previously Auckland Transport Blog, was surprised to hear there would be a delay.

“The NZTA have said for quite some time that it would be open in April, they even put billboards up saying it would be open.”

Even when it eventually opens, though, he did not expect less congestion in the area.

“One of the problems with transport projects in general is that they are often sold on the benefit of taking traffic off local roads, but there is nothing done to actually make sure that happens,”  said Mr Lowrie.

For now access to the motorway system and tunnel remains fenced off and traffic on Great North Rd remains as heavy as usual.