The NZ Transport Agency Board has confirmed details for the advancement of state highway projects made possible by an additional $142.5 million in funding announced earlier this week as part of the Government’s Jobs and Growth plan.
"We’re delighted that Government has provided this extra funding to allow us to make an early start on important work all around the country. This is great news for New Zealand, as it provides the opportunity to make immediate improvements to our state highway network," said NZTA Board Chair Brian Roche.
Mr Roche said the additional funding announced by Government on 11 February would bring forward the construction of five regionally significant state highway projects as well as accelerating a large number of small and medium sized projects and pavement renewals around the country.
"NZTA recommended these projects for advancement because they are ready to go now, and most will have a construction start this year, providing immediate benefits across the country."
Of the $142.5 million in additional funds, $42.5 million will be used to advance the following projects:
This project involves the replacement of the current single lane, traffic signal-controlled bridge on SH25 between SH26 (Ngati Maru Highway) and Orongo Road near Thames with a two lane bridge. The project’s main aim is to improve the efficiency of the highway to the Coromandel Peninsula by reducing traffic delays and improving trip reliability, particularly during peak holiday periods. The new bridge will also improve safety and reduce crash rates on this section of the state highway. Walking and cycling facilities will be provided on the new bridge. Construction of the project is now expected to begin in July 2009, 12 months earlier than scheduled. The total cost of the project is estimated at $47m.
This project will upgrade a one kilometre stretch of SH2 between Wellington and the Wairarapa, just south of the Rimutaka Hill summit. The upgrade will ease a number of tight curves, including Muldoon’s Corner. The project will improve safety on this difficult section of road where currently heavy vehicles travelling in opposite directsions are unable to pass each other. Construction of the project is now expected to begin in October 2009, 28 months earlier than scheduled. The total cost of the project is estimated at $20m.
This project involves the realignment and widening of a narrow and difficult 4.5km section of SH2 crossing the Matahorua Gorge, between Napier and Gisborne. The realignment will provide safety and efficiency benefits to the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions. Construction of the project is now expected to begin in October 2009, nine months earlier than scheduled. The total cost of the project is estimated at $40m.
The extension of the Hawkes Bay expressway for 3.2km between Hastings and Flaxmere will remove a bottleneck and crash blackspot, providing a safer, more direct route for highway traffic, freeing up local roads and providing a long-term, sustainable solution which will support future growth in the region. Construction of the project is now expected to begin in October 2009, three months earlier than scheduled. The total cost of the project is estimated at $15m.
The 10.5km extension of the Christchurch Southern Motorway (SH73) will improve access from the south-west to the Christchurch CBD and to the Port of Lyttelton, easing congestion and improving road safety. Construction of the project is now expected to begin in March 2010, four months earlier than scheduled. The total cost of the project is estimated at $180m.
The remaining $100 million in extra funding being provided under the Jobs and Growth plan will be used to accelerate small and medium sized state highway projects and pavement renewal works around the country over the next two and a half years, with $34 million to be spent on projects commencing this financial year (see attached table for details).
"The NZTA and our suppliers have the capacity to make immediate progress on these projects, in addition to delivering the 2008/09 National Land Transport Programme. The advancement of these projects will improve the safety of the state highway network, ease congestion and reduce travel times. Bringing forward construction will also provide an immediate activity boost across the country, attracting bids from New Zealand-based contractors, suppliers and subcontractors. Smaller local contractors and their suppliers will see real benefits from the increased workload," Mr Roche said.
The link below has detailed information on the five major projects to be advanced.
Major projects to be advanced(external link) (PDF, 3.42 MB)
The following small and medium sized projects will be carried out in the current financial year:
| Region | Small & medium sized activities & renewals | Spend in 08/09 | Total project value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northland | Seismic retrofit - double crossing, Haumi, Andersons and Tangiteroria bridges | $510,000 | $510,000 |
| Auckland/ Northland | Safety retrofit Mt Wellington and other barrier upgrades | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Auckland | Southern Motorway lighting safety retrofit section stages 2 & 3 | $500,000 | $5,500,000 |
| Auckland | Raised profile tactile markings (rumble strips) | $3,700,000 | $3,700,000 |
| Waikato/ BOP | Ohaupo/Kahikatea intersection | $1,520,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Waikato/ BOP | Fairy Springs four laning stage 2 | $20,000 | $150,000 |
| Waikato/ BOP | Mangorewa Stream North & South Bridge widening | $500,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Waikato/ BOP | Seismic retrofit - SH1 Cobham Bridge, SH2 Pekatahi Flood Channel, SH4 Waiopua | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Waikato/ BOP | Raised profile tactile markings (rumble strips) | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Waikato/ BOP | Safety retrofit/barrier upgrades | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Napier | Dillons Hill stage 2 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Wellington | Seismic retrofit - 1 structure | $800,000 | $800,000 |
| Wellington | Raised profile tactile markings (rumble strips) | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Lower Nth Island | Safety retrofit/barrier upgrades | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Nelson/ Marlborough | Seismic retrofit - Wairoa | $220,000 | $220,000 |
| Christchurch | SH75 Dunbars Road intersection | $200,000 | $2,400,000 |
| Canterbury | Seismic retrofit - Port Hills, Heathcote & Horotane | $800,000 | $800,000 |
| South Island | Safety retrofit/barrier upgrades | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| National | Accident blackspot sites (various) | $4,800,000 | Ongoing investment programme |
| National | Safety seal widening (various) | $4,000,000 | Ongoing investment programme |
| National | Development phases (various) | $4,000,000 | Ongoing investment programme |
| National | Structures upgrades (various) | $3,000,000 | Ongoing investment programme |
| Total available for construction start in 08/09 | $34,220,000 |
For more information contact:
Andy Knackstedt
NZTA Media Manager
(04) 894 6285 or 0212 763 222
andrew.knackstedt@nzta.govt.nz
