The government’s Roads of National Significance programme is entering the next phase, with the New Zealand Transport Agency Board endorsing investment proposals and approving approximately $675 million in additional funding.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop expressed the government’s commitment to establishing a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments that address the country’s infrastructure shortfall while fostering job creation and economic growth.
“Our Roads of National Significance programme is a vital part of this pipeline, and I’m pleased to see good progress on getting these important projects ready for delivery,” Bishop said.
The funding package also includes a further $515 million allocated specifically for property acquisition, drawn from previously approved funds.
The investment will speed up the development of key transport corridors nationwide, including the Northland Expressway, East West Link in Auckland, Hamilton Southern Links, and upgrades to SH1 in Wellington.
The approved funding covered essential early stages of the projects, including consenting, design, route protection, site investigations, and certain preliminary construction activities.
Roads of National Significance projects are already in progress, such as the Takitimu North Link, SH29 Tauriko West, and the section from Otaki to north of Levin.
Processes under the Procurement and Fast-track Approvals Act are advancing for other projects, including the Warkworth to Te Hana route and Mill Road Stage 1.
“I look forward to seeing further progress on these critical projects in the months and years ahead,” Bishop said.
The National Road Carriers Association expressed satisfaction with the swift progress being made to bring all projects listed under the Roads of National Significance programme closer to the construction phase.
“All of these projects are much-needed improvements that will deliver safety, resilience and productivity to the roading network,” spokesperson James Smith said.
Smith said the construction phase is expected to provide essential employment opportunities for the civil construction industry, which has experienced several challenging and difficult years.