The importance of roads
A country with a well-designed network of roads supports economic growth and the well-being of its people by improving the time and comfort of travel between places.
Road projects in New Zealand also need to take into account how they affect people living in the area and the environment.
Other benefits
The Waterview Connection Project includes more than just the completion of the Western Ring Route, it will also;
- improve access on foot or bicycle to, around and between the Alan Wood Reserve in Ōwairaka and the Waterview Reserve in Waterview
- provide new playgrounds and sports fields
- provide skateparks and courts for basketball and volleyball in both Waterview and Ōwairaka
- provide landscaping and planting to leave better places for nature as well as people
- protect the Oakley Creek, archaeological sites and local flora and fauna.
Half of the Waterview Connection will be underground, saving existing roads, parks, rivers, houses and businesses that are along the route.
Who has helped with the project
The delivery of the Waterview Connection has required support and advice from the communities in the area, as well as input from teams of experts in their fields. This has included;
- designers
- engineers
- architects
- construction crews
The urban designers for the Waterview Connection are responsible for working out the best way to design the motorway and surrounding area so it fits into the natural area.
They have also worked closely with local interest groups in designing the park environments and leisure facilities that will be developed in open spaces in Ōwairaka and Waterview. These areas are currently construction yards.
Who has been consulted?
Before agreeing on designs the Well-Connected Alliance talked to local interest groups to see what they wanted. These groups included:
- Waterview School staff and students
- Heritage groups
- Auckland Council
- Friends of Oakley Creek
The aim has been to make the spaces outside the motorway as multi-purpose as possible and useful to the community.
