CMJ - STAGE 2 Frequently Asked Questions

Will the improvements ease Auckland's congestion?

Yes, however there is no magic formula to 'fix' congestion problems in Auckland. Transit's Auckland State Highway Strategy outlines a number of projects that aim to improve traffic flows. The most significant improvements to congestion, resulting from the CMJ project, will be noticed during business hours as well as on the city street network.

How will it affect the average driver?

Once completed, it will be easier and more straightforward for people to travel through the junction. The new links will provide more direct access between all three motorways - the Northern Motorway, Southern Motorway and Northwestern Motorway. During construction there may be some delays.

What about public transport and bus lanes?

The CMJ improvements will improve conditions for all motor vehicles, including buses.

Will there be cycle lanes?

No - there are no cycle lanes on motorways.

Will you be planting trees?

Yes - lots of them. Landscaping and planting are an integral part of the project. Native vegetation will be incorporated into the landscape design.

Will you need to obtain any land?

No. The proposed improvements are entirely within land owned by the Crown.

When will the work be completed?

The CMJ Stage 1 work was completed in early 2005. CMJ Stage 2 is expected to be completed in late 2006.

Does this mean there will be road works in Spaghetti Junction for the next 2 years?

Yes, but the work will be done in the shortest possible time. An intense period of construction is preferred to one that is spread over a longer period. The motorway will remain open throughout the construction period.

It's noisy enough as it is - won't this make it worse?

No. Noise studies to date show that noise levels will stay about the same as they are now, with small, but insignificant, increases in some locations.

What are you doing to reduce construction noise?

Contractors will be required to satisfy strict noise standards and must modify their work methods to reduce construction noise. Residents and businesses in the area will be notified of work at the time.

Is this just a quick fix, and in another few years something else will have to be done again?

No. The project is part of an overall strategy for improvements and developments to the wider Auckland motorway and state highway network, as outlined in Transit's State Highway Strategy.

What are you doing to reduce queues at Hobson and Nelson Streets?

The queues at Hobson and Nelson St happen where the motorway and city streets meet. Queuing here should be reduced by freeing up movements on other parts of the junction, and through the provision of additional motorway links, removing the necessity for some motorway traffic to use the junctions with city streets.

Will the money come out of my rates?

No. Funding for this type of project comes from Central Government, viaTransfund.

How is funding determined?

Transfund bases funding on a benefit cost ratio, that is, the economic benefits of the project have to outweigh the costs at a set ratio, along with several other criteria such as improvement of economic development, congestion relief, safety improvements and protection and promotion of public health. Benefits include savings in travel time, vehicle operating and accident management costs.

What measures are being taken to reduce the impact that the work has on the environment?

Various measures to reduce the impact on the environment have been developed. This includes landscaping, stormwater, urban design and visual elements. Coordinated urban design guidelines have been developed for all three CMI projects.

Why don't you improve public transport rather than spending all the money on the motorways?

Addressing traffic problems requires a co-ordinated, balanced approach. City and regional councils, as well as organisations like Transit, need to work together to achieve the overall objective of improving the efficiency and safety of the roading network. This includes things such as the provision of priority lanes to help improve public transport.

For more information on the Central Motorway Junction - Stage 2, contact the Information Centre at 13 - 19 Howe St, Freemans Bay (under the Hopetoun Bridge). Phone 0800 CMJ Core (0800 265 267).