Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do we need this project?
- Why is it important to finish it?
- Where does the Waterview Connection project fit in?
- What route will it take?
- How long would it take to build?
- Have the property owners been notified?
- How will NZTA deal with me if I own property that’s needed for the project?
- How many properties are affected?
- Why was this option chosen?
- How will the project connect at each end?
- What happens when the traffic gets to SH16?
- How many extra lanes are proposed to be added to the motorway?
- How does the project fit with other travel options?
- How is NZTA mitigating the loss of parks?
- When will it be built??
- How much will the project cost?
- How will it be funded?
- When will you seek consents?
- How do I get information about the consenting process?
- How do I get more information about the project?
1. Why do we need this project?
The Waterview Connection completes the Western Ring Route (WRR), an alternative 48km north-south motorway route that does not rely on the southern motorway or the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The WRR links three state highways, the Southwestern Motorway (SH20), the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) and the Upper Harbour Highway (SH18). It is one of seven Roads of National Significance identified by government as critical to ensuring that users have access to significant markets and areas of employment and economic growth. The Waterview Connection is the vital last link connecting SH20 to SH16 which will be widened between St Lukes and Te Atatu.
2. Why is it important to finish it?
The completion of the Western Ring Route will have national and regional economic benefits. The connection will improve travel times and access between the west and the south including Auckland Airport for commuters and businesses and provide a motorway link from the CBD to the airport. An economic assessment shows that this improved reliability and accessibility will contribute more than one billion dollars to the Auckland economy. The full benefits of all the other sections of the Western Ring Route and the investments made in them will be realised once they are all connected.
3. Where does the Waterview Connection project fit in?
It's the last piece in the puzzle and will connect SH20 at Mt Roskill to SH16 at Waterview near Great North Road and widen SH16 from St Lukes to Te Atatu.
4. What route will it take?
The SH20 section will start at Maioro Street where the Mt Roskill project ends, go under Richardson Road and into Alan Wood Reserve next to the rail corridor. In the reserve it goes into a tunnel crossing under New North Road and Avondale Heights before emerging in Waterview Park. It will join SH16 at Great North Road in Waterview. SH16 will be widened between St Lukes and Te Atatu.
5. How long would it take to build?
NZTA is looking at the Waterview Connection being ready in 2015/16 if construction starts in late 2011.
6. Have the property owners been notified?
NZTA has already initiated contact with owners and will be following this up with any we haven’t been able to contact to date. Any owners that haven’t heard from us are encouraged to make contact so we can discuss their situation.
7. How will NZTA deal with me if I own property that's needed for the project?
NZTA will negotiate with you on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis to purchase your property at market value. We will pay for your valuer as well as legal fees involved in the transaction. We will also contribute to your removal costs.
NZTA purchases land through an independent agent to ensure transparency and fairness. Compensation for directly affected landowners and occupiers will be provided under the Public Works Act. Further detail of this process is available in the publication "Landowner's Rights - when the Crown requires your land for a Public Work" available from Land Information New Zealand.
8. How many properties are affected?
The new route directly affects 205 residential properties and about 105 strata titles on SH20 and about 60 properties adjacent to sH16.
9. Why was this option chosen?
It was seen to be the best balance between cost and effects with limited effect on community sporting facilities and reduced impacts on Oakley Creek.
10. How will the project connect at each end?
At the southern end at Maioro Street the project will join the Mt Roskill Extension of SH20 that is about to open, and there will be on and off ramps so traffic can enter from or exit to Richardson or Stoddard Roads.
At Waterview traffic can enter or exit to and from the Northwestern motorway (SH16) in both directions.
SH16 interchanges will remain the same connections although it is proposed to close the right hand turn to Pt Chevalier from the westbound off ramp at Great North Road.
11. What happens when SH20 traffic gets to SH16?
SH16 will be widened between St Lukes and Te Atatu to accommodate the extra traffic and allow for future improvements such as priority lanes and the causeway will be raised to improve road safety.
12. How many extra lanes are proposed to be added to the Northwestern motorway?
An extra lane is planned in both directions between Westgate and St Lukes.
13. How does the project fit with other travel options?
Taking business freight and other through traffic off local roads will free them up for improved public transport.
The Mt Roskill Cycleway will be extended to connect with the Northwestern Cycleway which will be widened.
Extending Maioro St to Stoddard Rd will provide a new pedestrian (and vehicle) connection between New Windsor and Mt Roskill/Wesley areas of Auckland. The project has been designed to allow for the future expansion of the Avondale Southdown rail line and its electrification.
SH16 will have wider bus shoulders and priority off ramps for buses.
14. How is NZTA mitigating the loss of parks?
We are working closely with Auckland City Council on how they would like us to compensate them for the project effects on parks. This includes enhancing and expanding existing facilities.
15. When will it be built?
We anticipate construction starting in mid to late 2011 after the statutory processes have been completed and the motorway taking around four and a half to five years to build.
16. How much will the project cost?
The project has an estimated cost of $1.4billion.
17. How will it be funded?
The project is affordable within existing funding and the NZTA Board will include the project in the 2009-2012 National Land Transport Programme.
18. When will you seek consents?
The NZTA lodged its Waterview Connection application for designation and resource consents with the Environmental Protection Authority in August. On Friday 3 September the Minister for the Environment and the Minister of Conservation recommended that application will now proceed through to a Board of Inquiry. The EPA will shortly notify the public of the application and call for submissions.
19. How do I get information about the consenting process?
The EPA has its own website: www.epa.govt.nz.
20. How do I get more information about this project?
You can contact the project team at waterview.connection@nzta.govt.nz or phone us on 09 368 2001.
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