The AA congratulates the NZ Transport Agency on reaching the halfway point in construction of the Waterview Connection, a pair of 2.4km tunnels that will complete Auckland’s Western Ring Route.

Alice, the tunnel boring machine, reached the end of the northbound tunnel this afternoon, after ten months underground.  The machine will now be turned around to bore the southbound tunnel.

AA spokesman Barney Irvine said it was exciting to see such a large project being delivered on home soil.

“This is among the largest tunnels in the world and the longest road tunnel in New Zealand, so it’s a genuinely international-scale project,” said Mr Irvine.  “Reaching the halfway mark ahead of schedule, and without any safety issues, is a major achievement.  NZTA and everyone involved in the project should take a bow.”

Mr Irvine added that, as the Western Ring Route progressed, the public was starting to sense what an impact it was going to have on traffic flows and the wider economy.

“This project will make a massive contribution to economic growth, congestion relief and network resilience,” said Mr Irvine.

“It’s fair to say that it’ll be a game-changer for Auckland and the whole of the upper North Island.”

The Waterview Connection is due for completion in early 2017.

For more information contact:

Barney Irvine
Principal Advisor – Infrastructure
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. +64 9 966 8608
M. +64 27 839 9309
W. www.aa.co.nz