Road cash too good to be true

By STUART DYE transport reporter

The Government gave Auckland's transport infrastructure a life-raft two weeks ago, but yesterday attached an anchor to it, says the city's Mayor, John Banks.

Transfund's announcement yesterday that five major projects would have new conditions attached before being granted funding will result in inevitable delays.

The projects include the Mt Roskill extension of State Highway 20, and the Inner City bypass in Wellington.

Officials refused to speculate last night on how long the delays could be, but Mr Banks said it would set the Mt Roskill motorway back by "at the very least, another six months".

A multimillion-dollar package to fund new roads and public transport was redundant when more red tape was hampering projects, he said.

Transfund announced that the six $20 million-plus projects would remain possible for 2003-2004.

"However, some will require conditions to be met before they can be considered for funding," said the authority.

The other projects likely to be hit by delays are the North Shore busway, Waikato's Mangatawhiri deviation and the Hewletts Rd flyover in Tauranga.

It is the latest in a catalogue of setbacks for the $139 million Mt Roskill extension.

Work was expected to start last summer on the 4km extension, from Queenstown Rd to Richardson Rd, and was due to be completed by 2006. The Transfund review calls for the project to become a candidate for a toll road. The road must also be considered in relation to the follow-on project of linking with the North-western Motorway at Avondale.

It means the plans have to go back to road-builder Transit for more discussion - and that will not happen until a meeting in February.

Transport Minister Paul Swain declined to comment on details of particular projects.

The aim of the review was to ensure each project was assessed against the provisions in the Land Transport Management Act and the country's transport strategy, he said.

But political sources say the review was prompted by pressure from the Green Party, using as leverage the fact that the minority Government might need its support for other aspects of the transport policy - such as the 5.6c a litre petrol tax increase.

"For the Greens to be putting a spoke in the wheels at the eleventh hour is, at best, bad policy and at worst outrageous," said Mr Banks.

"It's just a mechanism for obstruction and Auckland's push for economic growth is being stalled."

National leader Don Brash said it was the first sign of the Government's transport plan falling apart at the seams.

"It was only a question of time before Labour's decision to enlist Green support backfired," he said.

The Green Party, meanwhile, described the review as "breathing space".

Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said Transfund's outlining of the changes needed showed that the Land Transport Management Act was starting to work effectively.

Conditions for cash

State Highway 20 Mt Roskill extension - should be managed so as not to become congested. Ability to toll the new road.

Wellington Inner City bypass - should be integrated with the local road network and promotion of public transport and walking facilities.

Mangatawhiri deviation - traffic flows should not be compromised by unrestricted access to land next to the new road.

Hewletts Rd flyover in Tauranga - should not compromise future intersection requirements.

North Shore busway - should be accompanied by timely development of bus stations and feeder bus services.

Esmonde Rd interchange - no conditions, in recognition of its close linkage to the North Shore busway.