NZTA is working to significantly improve the Hawke’s Bay Expressway from Watchman Road roundabout to Pakipaki by adding two additional lanes. The project is part of the Government’s Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme confirmed in the 2024 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway is a 27km existing two-lane route. It is the region’s lifeline route, connecting people to the regional hospital and airport. It forms part of the national freight corridor, connecting Napier Port to the wider Central North Island. The expressway carries 29,000 vehicles a day. Due to the region’s growing population and economy, the expressway is reaching capacity in the central section at peak times.
The Hawke’s Bay Expressway project is included in the Government’s Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, outlined as a priority in the 2024–27 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
Roads of National Significance
Subject to approvals and funding, two lanes will be added to the corridor in stages, along with a number of intersection upgrades and new bridges. Most of the land required for this project is designated for road already.
The project is being delivered indicatively in four stages over a number of years, allowing for design of one section to occur in parallel to another.
Stage 1 focuses on improving the section that is most congested during peak traffic, which is the 6.5km section between the roundabouts at Taradale Road and Pākowhai/Links Road. Planning is underway with the aim to deliver the first stage by 2028.
Four-laning the expressway supports national and regional economic growth and productivity by improving capacity, travel time, reliability and safety. It’ll provide a more efficient route to support intercity connectedness and residential growth, and help cater to our rural economy, which is heavily reliant on our roads, rail networks and access to the port.
The benefits of four-laning the expressway have been highlighted a number of times in reports such as the 2012 Heretaunga Plains Transport Study, the 2015 NZTA Napier Port Access business case and others.
The Hawke’s Bay Expressway RoNS project will be assessed for tolling suitability. Following the assessment, if tolling is proposed for the expressway, public consultation will occur prior to a decision being made.
