Work on light rail in two years: Twyford

Transport minister Phil Twyford expects work on Auckland’s light rail project from the waterfront Wynyard Quarter to Auckland Airport to start within two years.

“I’m looking to move ahead with the light rail project from Wynyard to the airport,” he tells EVtalk.

“I hope that we can have the project consented, financed and contracted, with work underway, within the next two years.

“Plans are progressing well. Subject to Cabinet agreement, we will be taking this project out to the market in the next few months.

“Decisions around details such as routes and the numbers of trams are still to be worked through.”

The distance is roughly 30km and the light rail trip is expected to take about 45 minutes, the route linking areas from around Westhaven through downtown Auckland up Queen Street and along Dominion Road through Mt Roskill to the airport in the south. Overseas interest has been reported to include Silk Road in China and Alstom in France.

“Light rail is a significant project for Auckland; it will carry huge numbers of passengers across Auckland’s isthmus and ease congestion in the city,” Auckland Council publication Our Auckland reports this week.

It says the council has released three documents on light rail transit plans.

One details a potential accelerated delivery strategy to have light rail from the airport to the city in time for the America’s Cup and APEC summit in 2021.

Airport to City Light Rail Transit Acceleration Strategy identified challenges the project faces to be operational by late 2020.

Also available is a briefing document prepared by Auckland Transport detailing work to date on light rail, as well as maps of Dominion Road light rail plans

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Work on the delivery of light rail is being undertaken by the Auckland Council and NZTA, and a business case process will feed into the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP).

ATAP sets out joint government and council transport priorities for Auckland and is expected to be released soon.

Auckland Council and Auckland Transport’s current position on light rail is also available on AT’s website.

Meanwhile, Twyford also told a Kumeu community meeting the northern rail link is to be upgraded, including the Waitakere Tunnel, as it is being extended to the north and North Port.