Early work set to begin on 7 Roads of National Significance - Brown

Early stage work will be starting on seven of the Government's Road of National Significance projects, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

The Government is prioritising 17 Roads of National Significance which were recently highlighted in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS).

Projects include Belfast to Pegasus - including the Woodend Bypass - a stretch of road in Canterbury that has seen a large number of accidents.

It also includes the Hawke's Bay Expressway, SH1 Cambridge to Piarere, State Highway 29 Tauriko, Takitimu North Link Stage 2, Mill Road, and Warkworth to Wellsford.

Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is already underway, with Ōtaki to North of Levin to begin construction next year.

Brown said Waka Kotaki NZ Transport Agency was expected to begin procurement, enabling works and construction on the seven projects over the next three years.

He said the projects would support economic growth and "get people and freight to where they want to go, quickly and safely".

"There is plenty of work to be done."

“NZTA has now appointed project teams to accelerate consenting, property acquisition, and design. They are engaging construction partners to progress the first phase of seven Roads of National Significance projects, with an aim to begin procurement, enabling works and construction in the next three years.

“Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is already underway with Ōtaki to North of Levin to begin construction next year. NZTA is now adding to the Roads of National Significance pipeline with the next phase of projects which include Belfast to Pegasus (including the Woodend Bypass), the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, SH1 Cambridge to Piarere, SH29 Tauriko, Takitimu North Link Stage 2, Mill Road, and Warkworth to Wellsford."

Brown said NZTA intended to approach the Northland Roads of National Significance as a single strategic corridor, with Warkworth to Wellsford the first section in focus.

“In addition to the first phase of seven Roads of National Significance projects, investigations and project planning for the remaining eight will also start in the next three years."

The Government was committed to delivering a "significant pipeline of transport infrastructure" to unlock economic growth and productivity, he said.

“New Zealand needs fast-track legislation to ensure that we have a pipeline of consented infrastructure projects, such as the Roads of National Significance. The previous government abruptly stopped that infrastructure pipeline, which left us with Warkworth to Wellsford as the only new major roading project with a consent.

More on this topic

Govt scraps unlimited free driver licence test re-sits

Transport Minister Simeon Brown said long delays were "unacceptable" and said there would be a shift to a "balanced approach".

New Zealand

July 2, 2024

2:19

How a NZ council is saving up to $3000 a day on roadworks

Officials claim to have found higher quality of work, less time required for projects, less disruption for the community, improved safety — and financial savings.

Politics

July 2, 2024

“Investments in these essential corridors will make it easier for New Zealanders to get where they need to go, create a more productive and resilient transport network, drive economic growth, and unlock land for thousands of new houses.

“The Roads of National Significance projects previously built by National are some of New Zealand’s most successful State Highway corridors, reducing congestion and improving safety.