A pile-up of politicians' opinions has followed claims a motorway link into Northland could cost $2billion, include a tollway and be completed in nine years.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said yesterday early investigations indicated extending the Puhoi "gateway" motorway to Warkworth would cost between $1.3billion and $2.04billion. But boosting the highway another 38km to Wellsford would be more challenging to finish in that time.
The roading proposal has riled David Shearer, Labour MP for Mt Albert, who said the money was more urgently needed for Auckland. "Yes, thousands of Aucklanders use the Puhoi-Wellsford road for a handful of weeks to holiday, but they are the same Aucklanders who are screaming out for a decent public transport system," he said. The comments from the man who once wanted the Whangarei seat - Mr Shearer was Whangarei's Labour candidate in 2002 - have
brought the district's Mayor Stan Semenoff into the fray. The highway was not about Aucklanders' needs but was of vital importance to Northland, Mr Semenoff said.
"I am delighted Mr Joyce wants to set records in getting the job completed. The longer we leave the Puhoi-to-Wellsford four-laning, the more it will cost, and the sooner we get it done the better off Northlanders will be."
He disagreed with Mr Shearer's appraisal that a four-lane motorway into Northland would have little cost benefit. "It benefits Northland in many ways. It makes the transport system more cost effective for people doing business through Northland and the rest of the country," Mr Semenoff said. "Spending on this highway is going to pay off handsomely for the North, and I am grateful we have a Government which recognises that Northland is part of New Zealand."
But Mr Shearer said his comments had been a reaction to the Government's ad hoc and changeable approach to major road jobs - such as a Mt Albert motorway extension. "I'm incredibly sympathetic to the need for an improved road to Northland. I think there is even a greater need north of Wellsford.
Without a doubt Northland needs a better main route in, but a new $1.3billion motorway? They could spend a lot less."
Mr Joyce said a $10.7billion commitment to State highways over 10 years meant funding was not the big issue - time was.
The Transport Agency's estimates for the whole job vary from $1.3billion to $2.04billion, depending on how long it took. However, the agency was asked to investigate having the first section as a toll road.
Motorway better for Northland - Semenoff
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