Stock crossings

Archive - this information is for reference only and no longer maintained.

This page relates to the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme.

IntroductionBack to top

The following policy applies where the provision of stock crossings across, under or over a road have been requested to connect two parts of a property. 

Road protection where stock cross at gradeBack to top

If the lowest long-term maintenance cost is to use a protective covering over the road (eg road/stock mats or a specialised seal coating), then this cost is eligible for funding assistance under work category 111: Sealed pavement maintenance.

New road alignmentBack to top

When a new road alignment severs a rural property, the roading portion of an access structure may be included as part of the total road construction cost.

Cost sharing is based on the following:

• When land is severed and the cost of acquiring the severed land is more than the full cost of the provision of a stock access structure, the full cost of the stock access will be accepted as a charge to the roading improvements. This includes the value of any improvement.
• When land is severed and the cost of acquiring the severed land is less than the full cost of the provision of a stock access structure, no stock access structure will be provided. This occurs when the value of improvements is assessed and the landowner is not prepared to sell the severed land. Other options include:
  • resale or exchange of severed land
  • purchase and resale of both portions.

Existing road alignmentBack to top

Where actual and proposed stock movements on an existing road significantly affect road traffic, a proportion of the cost of constructing a stock access structure (including fees) will be accepted as a roading cost.

This roading cost may be included in the programme under work category 341: Low cost, low risk roading improvements.

Existing roads – proportion of costBack to top

Figure 1 illustrates the proportion of the cost of an access structure that will be accepted as a roading cost, when the structure is to be built on an existing road alignment.

Note: Where a vehicle crash record exists, the provision of a stock access structure is a road improvement activity. If the activity has an investment assessment profile better than or equal to the prevailing funding threshold profile, the total cost should be accepted as a roading cost.

Form of structureBack to top

The form of the stock access structure should be determined by the needs of the landowner, subject to approval of the design by the approved organisation or Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (state highways).

Agreements with landownerBack to top

Waka Kotahi requires the approved organisation or Waka Kotahi (state highways) to obtain a written undertaking from the landowner that any at-grade stock crossing will be eliminated immediately on completion of the access structure.

The approved organisation or Waka Kotahi (state highways) should also consider an encumbrance to be registered against the title of the property affected by the underpass or overpass. For a template of an encumbrance, refer to the Road Controlling Authority Forum’s stock crossing guidelines(external link).

MaintenanceBack to top

Any repairs to the stock access structure may be included in work category 114: Structures maintenance. However, at a minimum, the landowner will be responsible for the cost of:

• maintenance of the track through the structure
• associated drainage and fencing
• the repair of any damage to the structure caused by the landowner’s use or activity.

Cost sharing for stock underpasses or overpassesBack to top

Figure 1

Formula for cost sharing of stock underpasses or overpasses

CS        =          0.05 * AADT (on roads having less than 500 AADT) in percent

Where:

CS        =          25 percent (on roads having greater than or equal to 500 AADT)

CS        =          approved organisation's or Waka Kotahi’s (state highways)

                        contribution, including Waka Kotahi’s

                        funding assistance, to the total construction cost of

                        an access structure on an existing road (in percent)

AADT   =          average traffic volume per day