The Hon John Banks, Mayor of Auckland; Wayne McDonald, NZTA Regional Director Auckland and Northland; Steve Killeen, Northern General Manager Downer EDI Works, members of the construction team, other special guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Once again it gives me great pleasure to be able to celebrate the start of construction of another vital segment of Auckland's motorway network as we move towards providing a world class transport system for the citizens of this dynamic and progressive city.

While this project appears to be, and in fact is, relatively modest in size and cost compared to the other motorway projects we are progressing to complete the Auckland motorway system, it is strategically very important.

The SH1 Newmarket to Greenlane Auxiliary Lane is designed to tie in with the completion of the four southbound lanes of the Newmarket Connection and eventually the four southbound lanes of the Vic Park Tunnel.

In so doing it will help relieve the traffic congestion bottlenecks that presently occur in New Zealand's busiest section of motorway - from the Auckland Harbour Bridge, through the Central Motorway Junction to Greenlane, by ensuring at least four southbound lanes over this distance.

These improvements will provide additional capacity, the ability to better manage traffic flows through the central motorway system and improved travel times.

The added fillip is that two of these projects are scheduled for completion in time for the Rugby World Cup in September 2011.

An important additional feature of the Newmarket to Greenlane Auxiliary Lane project will be three metre high noise walls that will act both as a visual and noise sound barrier for the neighbouring community.

This is in line with latest environmental impact and urban design trends being employed in motorway design in major cities all around the world.

And, while we are here today celebrating this latest new development in the completion of the central Auckland motorway improvements, I am happy to say that work is progressing at a very good pace on completing the Western Ring Route.

Providing an alternative link from SH1 between Manukau and Albany, the Western Ring Route will enable vehicles, especially heavy trucks, to completely bypass central Auckland and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Two key components, also being delivered ahead of the Rugby World Cup are the southernmost section of the Western Ring Route - the SH20 - SH1 Manukau Extension to link these two motorways, and the SH20 Manukau Harbour Crossing which will increase Mangere Bridge to eight lanes plus bus shoulder lanes.

At the same time the northernmost section connecting SH1 to SH18 through Hobsonville and on to SH16, is also underway.

This leaves just the Waterview Connection and the widening of SH16 between St Lukes and Westgate to be completed for the whole of the ring route to be opened. Consultation on both these last two projects has also begun.

There has also been good progress in the provision of public transport services.

Last month I officiated at the sod turning for the Manukau Rail Link, good progress is being made on the DART project and just yesterday Auckland City hosted a ceremony to reopen the Grafton Bridge and the City Connector. 

On top of that, I will soon be announcing the new ownership model for commuter rail services in Auckland as we work towards the long-promised electric trains for the city - scheduled to start arriving in 2013.

So, all in all, Auckland is in a good position to deal with the tremendous growth forecast in the next 10-20 years.

Thank you for being here today and I wish all of you working on this project all the very best for a successful outcome.