Trucking industry disappointed two Auckland roading projects put in the slow lane

The trucking industry is disappointed to see two Auckland roading projects relegated to the slow lane as part of a "phased approach" to the Roads of National Significance delivery.

Auckland's East West Link and Mill Rd were among five of the 17 Roads of National Significance that would progress more slowly.

He accepted 2023 commitments the government made were "ambitious".

The Roads of National Significance have been a key transport priority for the government, but it has been dogged by questions over their costs and their implementation.

National Road Carriers chief operating officer James Smith told Morning Report the two Auckland projects had been around for decades and were key to reducing congestion.

"These are not new projects, they've been on planning boards for decades."

But, Smith said there were positives in Bishop's announcement of a phased approach.

"One, there are actually roads being built and the rest are sitting in a pipeline which is what the industry has been asking for, for some time.

"So now we're looking at what needs to happen to speed up that pipeline."

Smith said the industry was looking for a safe, productive and efficient roading network and maintenance could not be ignored.

"The fact you're having to maintain it isn't actually a bad thing. It means things are happening, we'd have an even bigger problem if roads didn't wear out."

Smith said New Zealand was not good at delivering projects, especially projects at scale.

"The first step to recovery is acknowledging you have a problem," Smith said of Bishop's announcement last week.

"Now there's a pipeline. Right, what can we do to make that delivery far more efficient so we get better quality at a lower price."

Four Roads of National Significance are under construction: (Ōtaki to north of Levin, the Hawke's Bay Expressway, Takitimu North Link Stage 1, and SH29 Tauriko West), one was due to start by the end of 2026 (Northland Expressway Stage 1), and another had procurement underway (Cambridge to Piarere).

A further 10 were preparing for construction and route protection, and either ready for implementation or awaiting funding.

These included Belfast to Pegasus, which had been granted provisional consent. Takitimu North Link Stage 2 had received consent through the government's Fast Track programme.

Five projects were continuing more slowly, and still in the investment case phase.

These were: the Hope Bypass Stage 2, Sections 2 and 3 of the Northland Expressway (excluding the Brynderwyns), Auckland's East West Link, Mill Road (Alfriston to Drury), and Petone to Grenada.