Work category 323: New roads

Introduction

This work category provides for the construction of a new road or road link that is additional to the existing road network, including any associated new road structures.

This definition applies to the 2012-15 NLTP.  For the 2015-18 NLTP please refer to the updated definition for work category 323.

Examples of qualifying activities

Examples of qualifying activities include, but may not be limited to:

• a bridge that forms part of a new road or road link
• retaining structures that form part of a new road
• discharge of street water by means of pipes or open drains into natural watercourses, where no artificial drainage system exists, or into artificial drainage systems (sumps, mains or open drains), on, adjacent to or across the road
• all traffic signs, pavement markings, traffic signals, lighting, etc, necessary to bring the new facility into service
• for local road projects property purchase costs less than $50,000.

Other potential activities not shown above should be discussed with the NZTA for eligibility.

Exclusions

Exclusions include:

• Deviation of an existing road.
• A new cattle stop where none previously existed – this is not eligible for funding assistance.

Funding assistance rate

The usual funding assistance rate for this work category is:

• the Approved Organisation construction rate
• 100 percent for the NZTA (state highways)

Funding assistance for local road improvement projects that benefit State highways

Local road improvement projects may, at the NZTA’s discretion, be partly funded as a state highway improvement project in activity class 13: New and improved infrastructure for state highways.

The following criteria apply:

• greater state highway benefits can be purchased per dollar when compared with upgrading the state highway
• the NZTA and the local authority have agreed that the project is the best investment option
• the NZTA and the local authority have agreed on attribution of benefits and construction costs
• the project is unlikely to proceed if left to the local authority (ie funded at the normal funding assistance rate)

Normal funding assistance rates shall apply to each party’s share of the cost of improvements. Arrangements for maintenance and renewal may differ on a case-by-case basis.

End of year carryover

Transport Investment Online (TIO) will automatically carryover the unspent allocation every year.  Therefore it is vital that Approved Organisations and the NZTA (State Highways) declare the unused allocation for completed projects by making a cost scope adjustment via the Reviews module in TIO.

NB A future upgrade to TIO will allow the project to be marked as completed.