VIC PARK TUNNEL - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Vic Park Tunnel project?
The Vic Park Tunnel (VPT) project is one part of a series of projects known as the Central Motorway Improvements (CMI), designed to reduce congestion through Auckland’s central motorway. The project is being undertaken to reduce congestion on the section of motorway between the Harbour Bridge and Wellington Street.

What changes are proposed?
The VPT project involves construction of a three lane northbound tunnel beside the Victoria Park viaduct and conversion of the existing viaduct to four southbound lanes. The number of lanes between the viaduct and the Harbour Bridge will be increased to five northbound lanes including provision for bus priority when necessary, and five lanes with a bus lane for southbound traffic.

Why is the tunnel three lanes?
The tunnel is designed for three lanes because there are three northbound lanes that emerge from the Central Motorway Junction (CMJ). The viaduct has four lanes (two in each direction) at present and these are all being retained for southbound traffic.

Why is the project needed?
VPT is the final in a series of CMI projects. The project is primarily needed to assist with congestion relief on the motorway system and to provide for the Northern Busway on the North Shore. The tunnel will ease the current bottleneck created by the Victoria Park viaduct and the overall widening of the motorway carriageway will make best use of the unused capacity of the Harbour Bridge.

Will the improvements fix congestion through this part of the motorway?
The improvements will help to reduce congestion between the Central Motorway Junction and the Harbour Bridge. By adding extra lanes through this strategic section of motorway, queues throughout the central motorway system will be reduced.

How has the VPT project been selected?
A decision was made by the Transit Board in December 2004 to pursue a northbound tunnel under Victoria Park, following:

• Community consultation
• Investigations into viable options to improve this section of the motorway
• A clear preference for a tunnel by Auckland City Council, Auckland Regional Council and North Shore City Council.

When will construction start?
Construction is expected to start in 2009 and be completed in 2014 (as detailed in the Transit New Zealand Draft 2006/07 – 2015/16 10-year State Highway Forecast). Documents seeking the designation have been lodged with Auckland City Council and resource consent applications are currently being prepared to be lodged with the Auckland Regional Council.

How much will it cost?
Estimates at this stage indicate the cost will be approximately $320 million.

Will I still be able to use the motorway during construction?
Yes, it is vital that the motorway remains open during construction. Minimising the impact on traffic flows during construction is a very important factor.  Like CMJ, there will be times during construction when parts of the motorway will need to be closed (this normally takes place at night).  Public notices will inform of these times.

Will the project affect local streets?
When completed, the CMI suite of improvements will result in there being less through traffic on some local streets. An example is the North West to Northern connection, allowing for a direct connection between those motorways.

What will be done to reduce construction noise?
Measures will be implemented to minimise construction noise. For example on other parts of CMI, construction noise has been minimised by undertaking the noisiest work within business hours, through specific muffling of machinery and by using temporary noise walls. Public notices will advise of construction activities and timing.

When the project is completed will there be an increase in traffic noise?
Traffic noise is not expected to increase in and around Victoria Park, as a result of vehicles going underground through the tunnel. In St Mary’s Bay, noise is expected to decrease generally with the provision of mitigation measures.

What are the proposed noise mitigation options?
For the St Mary’s Bay section of the project the options include:

• Quiet road surfaces
• Transparent noise walls up to five metres in height
• Improvements to affected properties

What about the second Harbour Crossing and a southbound tunnel?
Options for an additional harbour crossing are still varied but the current VPT project does not preclude a future additional harbour crossing. The northbound tunnel has also been specifically located and designed so as to not prevent a future southbound tunnel, to replace the Victoria Park viaduct.

Will any land need to be obtained?
Transit owns the majority of the land required for the proposed works.  However, there are a small number of private properties that will be affected including Victory Christian Church. Transit will be discussing any property requirements directly with the affected landowners.

Will any historic sites be affected?
Yes.  The Birdcage Hotel will be relocated further up Franklin Road. 
During construction, other sites within close proximity to the project area such as Campbell Free Kindergarten building, Victoria Park Market, five Maori heritage sites and Jacob’s Ladder will be protected where necessary.

Will the Victory Christian Church carparking area be affected?
Yes, approximately 150 parking spaces will be temporarily displaced.  Transit is working with the Church to discuss their parking requirements during construction and in the long term.

How will Victoria Park be affected?
During construction there will be a short term loss of the use of the northern end of the park, for the purposes of safety and construction.  Once operational, the tunnel option will result in the park being able to be restored for open space and recreational uses.  Overall there is no net loss to Victoria Park and its recreational values.

What about Iwi consultation?
Iwi have been consulted throughout the project and future consultation will focus on developing protocols regarding construction and rehabilitation of the area and in developing urban design features.

What about the Pohutukawa trees and cliff face through St Mary’s Bay?
Transit has designed the project to minimise impacts on the Pohutukawa trees and to protect the cliff face both during construction and when the project is completed. Some pruning of the Pohutukawa trees will be necessary, and some will need to be removed in order to extend the Shelly Beach overbridge.

Will there be any adverse impacts on the St Mary’s Bay coastline?
No adverse impacts are anticipated.  The project does not involve any coastal reclamations.

Will there be bus lanes?
Yes.  There will be a bus lane in the southbound direction to link in with the Northern Busway on the North Shore.  In the northbound direction, traffic will be managed to provide buses with priority if required.

Will there be cycle lanes?
No, there are no cycle lanes on the motorway.