The Auckland Transport Alignment Plan being released later today by Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff includes funding for the Mill Road and Penlink projects, and other road upgrades.

The Penlink project will provide a new connection between the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the Northern Motorway, while the Mill Road project will improve the connection from Manukau through Takanini to Drury.

In announcing the news, Twyford took the chance to attack the former National Government.

“National‘s only message on transport seems to be demanding immediate action on roads that they failed to build during their nine years in power. This Government is boosting transport investment so we can have both better roads and modern public transport.”

“Mill Road and Penlink will now progress, something that never happened during Simon Bridges‘ tenure as Transport Minister. Up to $82m was pencilled for the initial stages of the Mill Road project under his watch, but only $2m of investigation work was ever done.”

Twyford says the ATAP update to be released later today puts paid to National‘s scaremongering.

“This Government is delivering the road upgrades Auckland needs as well as worlclass rapid transit, without taking money away from the regions.”

On Twitter, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff tweeted he would be announcing a significant increase in investment for Auckland‘s transport network later today.

“We’ll be dealing with AKL‘s pressing roading needs incl Mill Rd & Penlink, as well as being transformational for the future with $$$ for buses, trains, cycling, walking and keeping people safe.”

He later tweeted: “Biggest ever funding package to get Auckland moving. Investing in a transport system to cater to Auckland’s hugepopulation growth.”