20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue Auckland 1010
Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Ph 09 355 3553
Fax 09 355 3550
26 March 2024
J Turner
[FYI request #25993 email]
Kia ora J Turner
The information you requested – CAS-871668-H1C7W7
Thank you for your request for information dated 5 March 2024 about our connected
communities programme.
“’I am writing to request information in two parts about the "connected communities"
programme:
• Total expenditure on the programme from initiation to closure in 22/23
• Plans to implement any of the findings of the programme, particularly on New North
Road which saw extensive community consultation.
• If not covered in the above, any plans to implement T2/Bus lanes along the stretches
of New North Road where they do not currently exist.”
Connected Communities Programme
The Connected Communities programme was established in 2019 with the intention of
optimising 12 key transport corridors across the region with a focus on get ing the most out
of the existing infrastructure and developing solutions with local boards and the community.
The programme commenced in the financial year (FY) 2020 to investigate upgrading
corridors for bus priority, safety and cycling and to connect to supporting cycling networks.
Covid 19 impacts on Programme
As the programme was about to commence community engagement in March 2020, Covid
19 and its associated lockdowns bought significant changes to the delivery of the
programme.
To deliver on contractual arrangements technical emerging options were developed for each
of the corridor workstreams and then the commercial contracts were put on hold until the
outcome of Covid 19 could be clarified on the programme.
The Auckland Council emergency budget in July 2020 (FY 2021) significantly altered the
funding and resources available for the programme. Work was recommenced on two
corridors Great North Road, New North Road and investigations into dynamic bus lanes and
cycle lanes.
Progress on the programme continued to be interrupted by Covid 19 lockdowns which
significantly impacted on community engagement. This resulted in significant delays and
reductions in appropriate resources for the programme. In the FY 2022 the Council budget
aucklandtransport.govt.nz
was further constrained and progress on New North Road, Great North Rd and cycling links
were the only projects to continue.
The Mayoral Letter of Expectation and Auckland Council financial budgetary
constraints in 2022
In 2022 the Great North Road upgrade was identified for construction ($28.1m for 1.6km of
corridor) and the New North Road corridor business case had identified a preferred option
($140M for 11.8km of corridor).
With the continued significant financial constraints on Auckland Transport’s budget, the new
Mayoral letter of expectation 2022 and the Statement of Intent in early 2023, it was
confirmed to the Board in May 2023 that the organisation could not afford a transformational
corridor programme at this time.
Continued use and development of Connected Communities programme workstreams
Auckland Transport continue to use many of the successful outputs developed within the
programme including:
• Community Collaboration Panels assisting in developing technical designs and
incorporating Local Board representation.
• Network approach for corridor improvements incorporating safety, bus priority and
cycle outcome.
• Business cases for major Auckland arterial corridors
• Kerb to kerb solution development to reduce costs and community and business
disruption.
• Dynamic bus and cycle lane option research and trials
• Organisational wide matrix teams and programme management frameworks
The data and outcomes from the programme are continuing to be utilised across Auckland
Transport including:
• Construction of the Great North Road upgrade
• Corridor sections incorporated into the Kianga Ora brownfield development street
upgrades programme.
• Northwest busway designs for the Central City area incorporating Vincent St
• Connecting development stages for Auckland Council Te Ha Noa Victoria St cycle
lanes
• Development of dynamic bus lanes delivery
• Delivery of optimisation programme initiatives
• Delivery of priorities for bus priority, walking, safety and cycling programmes
• Delivery of priorities for AT 10-year funding plans
• Prioritization of corridor upgrades
In terms of the New North Road corridor a number of transport optimisation projects have
been completed within the timeframe of the programme including:
• Intersection improvements at Woodward Road
• Clearway amendments along the corridor
• Additional signalised pedestrian crossing at Morningside train station
• Pedestrian safety improvements at the Sandringham Road intersection
• Road and vehicle priority changes for buses including traffic signalisation in close
proximity to Mt Eden Train Station.
Further investigation are being undertaken on:
• Optimising the New North Road corridor in terms of clearway, special vehicle lanes
including bus lanes and traffic signal changes.
• Following the bus routes commencing in Rosebank, work is currently being
progressed to confirm priority measures for buses along Rosebank, Avondale and
Blockhouse Bay Road that feed into New North Road.
The Mayoral Letter of Expectation for Auckland Transport and Auckland Council
financial budgetary constraints in 2024
Auckland Transport are working to determine the best way forward that wil enable us to
deliver solutions quickly within our funding parameters and prioritise improvements across
Auckland key arterial road corridors including New North Road corridor. This is being
incorporated into the Joint Transport Plan for Auckland and forms part of the 2024 Draft
Regional Land Transport Plan.
Timing of the delivery of these initiatives wil be funding dependant in line with the Council’s
allocation identified in the draft Long Term Council Plan which is currently undergoing public
consultation. Currently the corridor upgrade of New North Road is sitting below the line in
terms of priority for the draft Long Term Council Plan and budget.
There remains a significant need to develop viable solutions that optimise Auckland
Transport corridors, ensure they most effectively meet the needs of our current and future
customers across all modes and that align with Auckland Transport’s Mayoral Letter of
Expectations and Statement of Intent for the next three years.
As requested, please also find below a cost breakdown of the spend each year for the on
Connected Communities/Integrated Corridors.
Financial Year 2018 / 2019 2019/2020 2020 /2021 2021/ 2022
2022 / 2023
Investment $m 1.8
16.4
4.1
7.5
2.7
Should you believe that we have not dealt with your request appropriately, you are able to
make a complaint to the Of ice of the Ombudsman in accordance with section 27(3) of the
LGOIMA Act and seek an investigation and review in regard to this matter.
Ngā mihi,
Phil Wrat
Engagement Manager
Customer Care
