Transport Minister Simon Bridges has turned the sod on Napier’s Watchman Road Intersection Improvements project.
The Minister was joined by local iwi Mana Ahuriri, representatives from funding partners Hawke’s Bay Airport and Napier City Council, plus local stakeholders to mark the start of construction.
The project involves the construction of a roundabout at the intersection, the widening and strengthening of Watchman Road, and the construction of a new road from Hawke’s Bay Airport to link to Watchman Road.
State highway manager Wayne Oldfield says once completed, the project will become the new entrance and exit from Hawke’s Bay Airport.
“It also improves safety at one of the North Island’s highest-risk intersections, and will link to existing cycling and walking infrastructure in the area.”
Mr Oldfield says the project team has consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the construction will have minimal impact on the adjacent Ahuriri Estuary.
The $13 million dollar project is being jointly funded from the National Land Transport Fund, Hawke’s Bay Airport and Napier City Council. It is part of a $25 million package of road access improvements to Napier Port, announced by the Government as part of the Matariki – Hawke’s Bay Economic Development Action Plan, launched in July 2016.
The project will be built by Higgins Construction and is scheduled for completion in June 2018.
