When National announced the motorway extension in 2011, Chris Hipkins mocked the project. He disparagingly called it a "holiday highway" and said the money should be used for projects like Auckland’s city rail link.
He expressed a different view at the official (photo opportunity) opening. There he described it as a “strategic piece of infrastructure" that will deliver "a safer, more resilient and reliable route"!
He went on to say,
Safe and reliable transport links between Auckland and Northland are essential…The recent extreme weather events have highlighted how fragile the Auckland to Northland transport corridor can be…The route is vital for the economy. It will provide consistent and reliable travel and better access to markets.”
Associate Transport Minister Kiri Allan said,
“It supports the Road to Zero strategy, with safety significantly improved by flexible safety barriers and fully-sealed median and shoulder areas…The local Warkworth area will also benefit, with the road and related infrastructure to support another 7300 homes that are expected over the next 20 years.”
These are fine words. Now the PM (or our local Labour Party MP Emily Henderson) should explain why they previously opposed the project, why they stopped the next 27km Warkworth to Wellsford leg, and why they stopped the four-lane highway between Whangarei and Ruakaka.
A motorway between Auckland and Whangarei would be a huge boost to our region. It seems ideology But extending the Auckland motorway through to Whangarei is something Labour and the anti-road Green Party have blocked and refuse to accept. They turn a blind eye to the benefits because roads do not fit within their ideology, even roads that would reduce deaths and bring economic prosperity to a region.
News stories
PM Chris Hipkins opens Puhoi-Warkworth motorway mocked by Labour as ‘holiday highway
A sight for tired drivers’ eyes: New images of Pūhoi to Warkworth ‘holiday highway’ revealed
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