26 Apr 2018

Govt to spend $700m on Mill Road, Penlink toll road projects

9:08 am on 26 April 2018

Transport Minister Phil Twyford has revealed $700 million will be spent on two major roading projects for Auckland.

Phil Twyford

Transport Minister Phil Twyford. Photo: RNZ

The government and the Auckland Council will spend $500m building the Mill Road project to help ease congestion in South Auckland towards Drury.

Another $200m would be spent on the Penlink project, a new road to the Whangaparāoa Peninsula.

Mr Twyford told Morning Report that road would be funded through a public-private partnership.

"It'll be put out to tender. We believe that there are investors who would be interested in getting involved in that project.

He said it would be a toll road as the upgrade would likely be not worth the cost otherwise.

"Because of the design of the road it's easily tolled, that generates a revenue stream that, it gets the project over the line. Without that it probably wouldn't get over the line.

Mr Twyford said the government would also be announcing significant investments in light rail projects for Auckland later today.

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