The NZ Transport Agency has provided some FAQs about the Basin Reserve flyover, which are an exceptional display of Orwellian double-speak - so we thought we'd boil off the weasel-words and provide the actual answers to the questions, as well as some questions (and answers) that NZTA would prefer weren't asked.

1. Why do we need this project?
NZTA Answer
The project aims to reduce the current traffic congestion caused when State Highway 1 traffic meets local traffic at the Basin Reserve. The improvements will also allow the better flow of traffic to Wellington City’s southern and eastern suburbs.
Actual Answer
There's no proof that this project is needed at all - the traffic congestion alleged by the NZ Transport Agency is only present for about two hours per day, and could easily be moderated by simple, cheap and cost-effective changes to the roads around the Basin Reserve. Around 70% of the vehicle traffic around the Basin Reserve is single-occupant cars, so better travel demand management and improved public transport will improve the "congestion" problem far better than a massive flyover. And the NZ Transport Agency has pinned its projections on traffic volumes rising by 3% per annum, yet surveys from the Greater Wellington Regional Council show that traffic volumes are falling (due to the impact of recession and fuel prices) rather than increasing. The short answer: there's no demonstrated need for a flyover.

2. Will the community and stakeholders be consulted?
NZTA Answer
Yes – two phases of public consultation have been planned. The first will be in February 2010 when the project team will have a number of options ready for public consultation. The second will be in the latter part of 2010 after a preferred option has been selected. There will be several public open days during each stage. The project team will produce material providing detailed information to the public who will be able to provide feedback through the post or online. The NZ Transport Agency website will also have more information about consultation as soon as details are available.
Actual Answer
Stakeholders and the public will be consulted, but NZTA are likely to simply ignore the view of the general public as has happened in previous rounds of consultation. This project formed part of the Ngauranga to Airport Corridor Plan, and during the consultation phase some 79% of submitters said they were opposed to the flyover. This was ignored by the Greater Wellington Regional Council. At the next stage of consultation, opposition had risen to 87% of submitters - and in response, the NZ Transport Agency increased the priority of the Basin Reserve flyover! So our view is that NZTA's consultation is merely an exercise in window-dressing, rather than a serious attempt to have the public adjust the pre-determined direction of the Agency.

3. When will a decision be made on which option to build?
NZTA Answer
In late 2010, the NZTA Board will decide which option should be progressed to detailed and design and construction.
Actual Answer
The vast majority of NZTA's analysis effort to date seems to have gone into the plans for a flyover, and there is scant evidence that much more cost-effective ground-level options are even being considered. So it seems likely that a single flyover-based option will be presented to the NZTA Board, who will simply rubber-stamp it.

4. When will it be built?
NZTA Answer
The Regional Land Transport Strategy allows for construction to take place in the 2012-2015 period.
Actual Answer
This date very much depends on the degree of local opposition to destroying the ambience of the Basin Reserve, and on whether there is an Environment Court challenge to the destructive approach of the NZ Transport Agency.

5. How much will it cost?
NZTA Answer
Detailed costs will be developed for each option as they are designed. The Regional Land Transport Strategy has provided for a budget of $51 million.
Actual Answer
NZTA's budget estimates for this project have been disastrously incompetent. Back in late 2007 this project was slated to cost a mere $27 million; by mid 2009 it had risen to $38 million; by early 2010 some $51 million was being quoted. Costs on the project are exploding about five to ten times faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and yet some of the primary geotechnical investigations haven't even been carried out. Given NZTA's recently appalling record of cost management - such as the doubling of estimates for strengthening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge - there is very little likelihood that today's $51 million budget will suffice. So as well as being a pointless boondoggle, it going to be an expensive boondoggle.

6. Are there provisions for cyclists and pedestrians?
NZTA Answer
Yes – the needs of cyclists and pedestrians are being considered by urban designers and engineers developing the options for the traffic improvements around the Basin Reserve.
Actual Answer
Who knows? No design has been presented to the community by NZTA, as the agency has steadfastly refused to share the details of what they're planning. Apparently taxpayers are unable to see these designs as they are "commercially sensitive" ...

7. How will it affect passenger transport?
NZTA Answer
The improvements will form part of a passenger transport spine that will reduce congestion and improve travel times for buses and other travellers to and from the southern and eastern suburbs.
Actual Answer
This is a piece of pure disinformation from the NZ Transport Agency. As the Basin Reserve flyover is part of State Highway One, it is funded nationally; however public transport in Wellington is funded by the Greater Wellington Regional Council. This means that the current exorbitant $51 million in construction costs does not include a single cent that is specifically allocated to public transport around the Basin Reserve, and any money (and planning) that is required to make the area more effective for public transport users will need to be found by Wellington ratepayers. So if there are "improved travel times for buses" as NZTA claim, it will not be because of the efforts of the Agency.

8. Can you build a tunnel?
NZTA Answer
Investigations have indicated that building an east-west tunnel may attract more traffic to the area and will not improve the performance and efficiency of passenger transport. There are also significant cost and geotechnical issues associated with this option.
Actual Answer
The real answer is that NZTA has no idea whether a tunnel can be built as it's conducted no geotechnical investigations in the area. And the claim that a tunnel will induce traffic into the area is completely disingenuous, as they know from the traffic modeling that building a flyover will also induce traffic.

9. Will important heritage buildings be affected?
NZTA Answer
A review of the heritage buildings in the area has been completed. Independent archaeologists and heritage specialists are working with NZTA to minimise or avoid impacts on these buildings.
Actual Answer
NZTA's track record on heritage issues is appalling, as their behaviour over the Inner City Bypass in Te Aro demonstrates. The Agency was required by the Environment Court to preserve the heritage structures - so they observed the letter (rather than the intent) of the ruling by leaving the houses unfinished on the inside, and then ensuring they remained vacant for years after the project was completed. Given their track record of disdain for heritage, it's simply beyond belief that they will treat the important heritage precinct around the Basin Reserve with any kind of respect. In fact, if NZTA gave a toss about the heritage of the Basin they wouldn't be building a flyover in the first place ...

10. How much noise and air pollution will it generate?
NZTA Answer
Acoustic and air quality specialists are working with NZTA to forecast future noise and air quality levels and recommend ways the design can avoid or minimise effects.
Actual Answer
Given that NZTA has steadfastly refused to install air quality monitoring equipment on the corner of the Basin Reserve, despite the long-standing requests of local residents, there is simply no credibility to the claim that they will be minimising the effects of their roading changes. The planned flyover sits more than six metres above ground level, and it's a given that the vehicle pollution and noise will be broadcast much more widely around the neighbourhood than is currently the case. In Wellington's prevailing northerly wind the fumes and noise will be blown directly across the Basin Reserve, to the detriment of users and spectators, and the increased noise footprint will devalue the homes in the immediate area.

11. Will it impact on the schools?
NZTA Answer
The project team will be working with nearby schools to develop design solutions that maintain safe access.
Actual Answer
NZTA is responsible for the upgrading of State Highway One, of which the Basin Reserve flyover is part. Any safe access for pupils and their parents is very much a secondary consideration to keeping the cars and trucks moving.

12. How will this affect the Basin Reserve cricket ground?
NZTA Answer
The project team will be working with independent noise experts and urban designers to minimise and avoid impacts on the Basin Reserve.
Actual Answer
It's obvious that if NZTA cared about the impact of their plans on the Basin Reserve they wouldn't be trying to build an enormous concrete flyover across the northern face of the ground! After all, there's not a single example of an international test cricket ground that has been improved by a flyover. NZ Cricket seem to be pinning their hopes on the construction of an additional (and unnecessary) stand to try and block the noise from the flyover, but it's clear that there is no funding from NZTA to pay for the construction - costs have ranged up to $10 million.