The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will hold an open day next week to give the local community and businesses an opportunity to find out more about the agency's plans to improve safety and ease traffic congestion on Russley Road.
The open day will be held at the Russley Golf Club between 3.30pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday 9 October 2012.
The plans released last month involve widening the existing two lane section of State Highway 1 to a four lane carriageway separated by a median barrier, and upgrading the Russley Road/Memorial Avenue intersection with an over bridge incorporating a gateway feature structure.
NZTA Southern Regional Director Jim Harland encouraged residents and businesses in the area to use the open day as an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how community and stakeholder feedback on earlier proposals has lead to a number of significant changes to this project.
“The open day is an ideal opportunity for people to see for themselves the detailed project plans and talk directly with project staff about the plans and any ideas or concerns they have.”
Mr Harland says applications for proposed work between Pyne Gould Stream and Harewood Road including the Russley /Memorial Interchange and the Southern Airport Access need statutory approvals to proceed. These applications are expected to be publicly notified, enabling anyone to make a submission and have their say on these projects.
Editor’s notes
The Government has identified seven essential state highway projects linked to New Zealand’s economic prosperity. Called the roads of national significance, or RoNS for short, the NZTA is charged with delivering this programme of state highway improvements within the next 10 years. The RoNS programme represents one of New Zealand’s biggest ever infrastructure investments and is a key part of the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan and Government’s Policy Statement for transport.
The seven RoNS projects are based around New Zealand's five largest population centres. The focus is on moving people and freight between and within these centres more safely and efficiently. Other RoNS may be added in future but currently from north to south the seven projects are: Puhoi to Wellsford - SH1, Completing the Western Ring Route, Auckland - SH16, SH18 and SH20, Victoria Park Tunnel, Auckland - SH1, Waikato Expressway - SH1, Tauranga Eastern Link - SH2, Wellington Northern Corridor - SH1, Christchurch Motorways. More information is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/rons(external link)
