Auckland's City Rail Link (CRL) will get on track sooner than thought, with the Prime Minister confirming the Government will chip in its share for the project.
In his State of the Nation address in Auckland this afternoon, John Key said the Government would work with Auckland Council to bring forward the business plan for the CRL and commit its half of the $2.5 billion price tag.
The 3.4km underground line will run from Britomart Station through the CBD to connect with the existing western line at Mt Eden station.
Auckland Transport estimates commuters travelling from Henderson to the planned Aotea Station would save 17 minutes on their trip on average.
In a speech largely focused on Auckland, Mr Key said committing its funding for the project will mean the main construction of the rail link would start in 2018.
"It's become clear that we need to provide certainty for other planned CBD developments affected by the Rail Link," Mr Key says.
"This means we see merit in starting the project sooner."
Those CRL-affected developments included the $350 million NDG Auckland Centre next to the new Aotea Station and the $680 million Commercial Bay tower opposite Britomart.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown says Aucklanders have been waiting decades for the link and says the confirmation of government funding has brought certainty to the project.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown addresses media (Harley Peters / 3 News)
"Its benefits will be felt across Auckland as well as building a great heart in the central city."
Mr Brown says the council and government have been working well together to solve Auckland's issues.
Auckland Transport figures from last year show rail patronage increased 22.9 percent to total 15.4 million trips. Based on current projections, the patronage target of 20 million trips a year set by the Government for CRL funding will be met at the end of this year – three years ahead of schedule.
Greenpeace says the decision shows "public pressure is working", given Mr Key's past reluctance to fund the project.
"This is a huge win for people power," executive director Russel Norman says.
"John Key and the National Party have been dead set against funding a rail link for years – they’ve made very disparaging comments about it."
Dr Norman says the CRL will help stop dependency on oil and reduce climate pollution levels.
Generation Zero, a youth environmental group, says the CRL will give the public options for transport and help unclog Auckland's roads.
The Green Party has called the decision a major victory, saying it removes the "last remaining obstacle" to an important piece of infrastructure.
Following the announcement, the party celebrated with a mock opening of the planned Karangahape Rd station which will be built on the site of their Auckland headquarters. The party will move out of their Mercury Lane office this year ahead of work beginning in 2017.
Greens transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter pops champagne in celebration (Supplied)
It wasn't the only project to get the Government go-ahead, with the East-West connection between the Southern and South-Western motorways confirmed as well, estimated to cost $1 billion.
"We consider it a project of national significance," he said.
"It's a priority for Auckland because it will improve travel and freight times in this busy part of the city."
Mr Key says it will also give better access between the eastern suburbs and the airport.
The connection will go through a "streamlined consenting process" later this year to bring forward the start date.
The process will mean consenting will be made within nine months of the application.
If approved, it will be funded through the Land Transport Fund so construction can also begin in 2018.
In preparation for the connection, the New Zealand Transport Agency will start work on widening State Highway 20 between Nielson St and Queenstown Rd. The widening will allow the road to deal with the traffic growth when the Waterview Tunnel opens.
While Greens transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter has hailed the CRL funding commitment, she says the East-West connection shows the Government still doesn't understand a balanced transport system.
"The National Government continues to spend billions on a few gold-plated motorways. It should be aiming to complete Auckland’s rapid transit network first, which would leverage off the CRL and complement the road network."
Auckland wasn't the only place to get more investment in roads.
Four other projects – in Horowhenua, West Coast, Northland and Taranaki have also been given the green light.
Up to $115 million have been set aside for those projects.
Housing was also covered in Mr Key's speech, but no new plans or policy were announced to tackle the red-hot market or the housing shortage.
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