Northern Motorway extension on wish-list

By CATHY ARONSON transport reporter

The Northern Motorway extension from Orewa to Puhoi and Transmission Gully in Wellington may be the first toll roads to be built in partnership with the private sector.

Transit New Zealand and local councils are now putting forward their roading wish-lists. And with the Land Transport Management Bill expected to be passed next year Transit, Transfund and the Ministry of Transport are due to recommend a list of suitable private-public toll roads.

Transit chief executive Robin Dunlop said Orewa to Puhoi and Transmission Gully were at the top of the list because they both nearly had consents and would be ready to go next year, but were expensive.

The Government agreed to consider private-public toll roads in return for support from United Future.

United Future's leader, Peter Dunne, favours the $250 million to $300 million alternative route into Wellington, Transmission Gully. But it may not generate enough traffic to be viable.

The $158 million Orewa to Puhoi link, the last section of the Northern Motorway extension, faces a further 10-year delay after the Auckland Regional Council refused to make it a priority for funding.

Transport Minister Paul Swain said the Ministry of Transport and Transit were due to present initial assessments of the projects, which would still have to meet strict criteria and safeguards set out in the bill.

But Automobile Association spokesman George Fairbairn said approval of the private-public partnership could be subject to the political force of the day, because the minister had final approval.

Mr Swain said all projects had to meet national and regional transport plans.

"Someone has to make the final decision. The reality is a good tolling proposal with community support that meets the criteria can be approved quite quickly instead of being subject to legislation."

The bill would ensure toll roads were new roads with an alternative route and which had community support.

It would also ensure the public sector was not liable for compensation if traffic numbers fell below forecast.

Mr Dunlop said Transit had to pass risk to the private sector but also make the projects worthwhile.

The legislation also allows councils to create tolls for local projects, already mooted in Tauranga and Auckland.

Auckland City Council Mayor John Banks said the private-public toll roads could get Auckland's roading network completed more quickly.

He said Auckland's congestion cost the economy $1 billion a year.

Herald feature: Getting Auckland moving