Hairini Link stages 3 & 4 – investigation funding

Applicant

New Zealand Transport Agency

Purpose

To seek the Board’s approval for funding the investigation phase of New Zealand Transport Agency’s Hairini Link (formerly referred to as the Tauranga Central Corridor) project, Stages 3 and 4 in the Bay of Plenty Region.

Date of decision

31 July 2009

Resolutions

The NZ Transport Agency Board:

1. approves funding for the investigation phase of the NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA’s) Hairini Link (Stages 3 and 4) project, at an estimated cost of $3.1 million from R funds and a funding assistance rate of 100%, subject to:
   1. the activity being included in the 2009/2012 National Land Transport Programme;
   2. the activity being developed consistent with the Tauranga Central Corridor Strategy; and
   3. a hold point at macroscope to enable the NZTA Board to confirm the macroscope and revised economic evaluation before lodgement of a Notice of Requirement;
2. notes that the SmartGrowth partners will seek the Board’s support for the Tauranga Central Corridor Strategy and endorsement of a package of activities, prior to confirmation of the macroscope of the Hairini Link project (Stages 3 and 4);
3. notes that the construction cost for the Hairini Link project (Stages 3 and 4) is estimated at $134 million, the 95th percentile construction cost is estimated at $156 million and the 5th percentile at $107 million;
4. notes that the efficiency of the project is reflected in a package BCR of 1.9 for Stages 1-4 of the project.
5. notes the reasons for this decision are as set out in the Reasons for Recommendation section; and
6. agrees to keep Board paper 09/07/0233 in Committee until the Board has published the notice of decision.

Reason for the decision

1. The assessment profile for this package has been determined as being of medium strategic fit, medium effectiveness and low efficiency.
2. The project will contribute to economic development and safety by aligning the project with the Tauranga Central Corridor Strategy and the wider SmartTransport network, addressing congestion by improving journey time reliability on a key route, creating a safer operating environment for all road users, and encouraging travel behaviour change through facilitating priority for high occupancy vehicles.
3. We confirm that the matters in sections 20(2) and 20(5) of the LTMA have been satisfied, and that the matters in section 20(3) have been taken into account.