20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue Auckland 1010
Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Ph 09 355 3553
Fax 09 355 3550
3 July 2020
Kyle Hensel
[FYI request #12863 email]
Kia ora Kyle
The information you requested - CAS-151264-G3J3C1
Thank you for your request for information dated 2 June 2020 asking for information about a
former rail overbridge in Paerata.
Bridge removal
The bridge was removed by the former Franklin District Council in the mid 2000’s. Auckland
Transport holds no information regarding the removal of the bridge. Therefore, this part of
your request is refused under section 17(g) of the LGOIMA.
Plans for the bridge
Auckland Transport thro
ugh the Supporting Growth Al iance (SGA) is investigating the future
transport networks to support Auckland’s future growth areas over the next 30 years. This
includes three new connections from SH22 to the Pukekohe expressway, called the
Northern Connection, Central connection and Southern connection. The Northern
connection provides a way to cross the railway line in Drury. The Southern connection
provides a way to cross the railway line in Paerata. These connections consider the future
track improvements along the North Island Main Truck, Active Mode Corridor (AMC), up to
four lanes of general traffic and segregated active mode facility.
Based on the Indicative Business Case estimates, the Southern connection is estimated to
be $75mil ion and the Northern connection is estimated to be $72million. This is subject to
change as the investigation continues.
SGA has been seeking community feedback on the connections noted above and you can
find more information her
e: https://www.supportinggrowth.govt.nz/assets/2020-Launch-
South/05811cd962/Pukekohe-Expressway-and-Connections-to-SH22.pdf.
Our current preferred options for crossing the rail line have been identified on the plan and
this has been provided to the public and stakeholders for comments. Following receipt of
feedback, the team wil continue to refine the options prior to the next stage in the process -
lodging a notice of requirement with Council for a designation. While feedback on the plan
was closed/is closing on 19 June we would value any feedback from you. You can do from
her
e: https://www.supportinggrowth.govt.nz/contact-us/query-form/
aucklandtransport.govt.nz
A key aspect of the transport network is achieving an increase in public transport mode
share, with an important element of this being the increase in walking and cycling
facilities. This has included specifically investigating an Active Mode Corridor (AMC) which
would connect the existing Pukekohe rail station with the stations proposed at Paerata,
Drury West and Drury Central which would then connect to the proposed SH1 cycling facility
being delivered as part
of the Papakura to Bombay project. In addition, arterial roads being
investigated in the Southern growth area would to supplement cycling demand with
segregated active mode facility, including the Opāheke North South arterial, upgrading
Opaheke and Ponga Road and Great South Road which would lead to Papakura. SGA has
been seeking community feedback on some of these arterials and you can find more
information her
e: https://www.supportinggrowth.govt.nz/publications/south-information/.
As noted above, SGA is proposing safe cycling facilities as part of its network in the growth
areas of southern Auckland. SGA’s work to date confirms that if safe facilities are not
provided it would have a detrimental impact of uptake of cycling, in particular for commuter
type trips in that unsafe/less attractive facilities create a greater barrier to usage.
Should you believe that we have not responded appropriately to your request, you are able
to make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman in accordance with section 27(3) of the
LGOIMA Act, and seek an investigation and review in regard to this matter.
Yours sincerely
Phil Wratt
Engagement Manager
Customer Care
