Victoria Park Tunnel project starts this October

Victoria Park Tunnel project: The tunnel project aims to reduce congestion on the motorway during peak times as well as to reduce queuing on the Wellington Street on-ramp.

From City Scene, published on 23 August, 2009.

The $406 million Victoria Park Tunnel project is gearing up and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will take over parts of Victoria Park (including the skate park) in October to commence work.

The tunnel project includes three northbound lanes under Victoria Park, and the conversion of the existing viaduct to four southbound lanes. Improvements will also be made to State Highway One through St Marys Bay.

When finished - in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011 - it will provide people with faster and more reliable travel between the south and north of the city, particularly by removing the major bottlenecks entering and exiting the Harbour Bridge.

To inform the public of what is going on, there will be three drop-in sessions for interested parties to get an overview of the project programme and timelines.

As significant parts of Victoria Park will be affected - such as the Victoria Park skate park - Auckland City Council recommends regular users and visitors to attend.

The sessions will be held from noon to 3pm on Saturday, 29 August at Leys Institute (Ponsonby) Community Library lecture room, 20 St Marys Bay Road, Ponsonby; and from noon to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm on Monday, 31 August at Vic Park Alliance Office, The Westhaven, 100 Beaumont Street.

For additional information NZTA has set up an information line 0508 VIC PARK.

The council will be working with NZTA on relocating the skate park and ensuring a good outcome for Victoria Park users.