Transport Minister Chris Bishop. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Friday could put the wheels in motion for a second Mount Victoria tunnel in Wellington after years of debate.
As part of its election promises, the National Party campaigned on building a second tunnel through Mount Victoria and to get shovels in the ground on the project before next year's election.
Improvements in the area had been discussed for years with projects such as the Basin Flyover and a second Mount Victoria Tunnel planned under the now-scrapped Let's Get Wellington Moving plan.
In November, the Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi (NZTA) confirmed to move forward with a plan to duplicate the Terrace Tunnel, make upgrades around the Basin Reserve and build a second Mount Victoria Tunnel.
Since then, NZTA has worked on an investment case which the agency confirmed would be considered by its board at its meeting on Friday.
The agency said once a decision was made, Transport Minister Chris Bishop would be briefed.
Bishop told RNZ that once the business case was considered announcements would be made in due course.
NZTA's board will discuss an investment case for a second Mt Vic tunnel on Friday. Photo: 123RF
Infrastructure NZ chief executive Nick Leggett said it could be a "game changer" for Wellington City residents, but noted it needed to cater for cars, bus, bikes and pedestrians.
"We need a balanced approach to moving around the city and in and out of the city, and that should be catering for pedestrians, for cyclists, for buses and for cars.
"We can't afford to have just one mode favoured above the other."
Leggett said it was important to get the project started as soon as possible.
"I think Wellington is sick of waiting and we do need some action and some activity to improve the city because it is not that hot out there in terms of our local and regional economy."
Local Rongotai MP and Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said it was disappointing a "better option" was not on the table.
"This is a very 20th century sort of project you know it's one that has been talked about for a really long time, but we know it's not really going to solve congestion and it's going to come at enormous cost and disruption to the city."
Genter said she was not hopeful that the project would support walking or cycling.
"In the government policy statement on transport they basically rule out using any funding from the state highways projects for walking and cycling or bus lanes or anything other than the car part of it."
Bishop said that he still expected construction to start in 2026.
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