Waikato Expressway RoNs: Rangiriri section design and enabling works funding

Applicant

NZ Transport Agency

Purpose

To seek the Board’s approval for funding detailed design and enabling works of NZTA’s Rangiriri Section of the Waikato Expressway project in Waikato region.

To bring the Board’s attention to the cultural sensitivities in relation to the Rangiriri Pa site and the desire to have the works substantially complete in time for the 150 year commemoration of the battle of Rangiriri in November 2013.

Date of decision

4 March 2011

Resolutions

That the New Zealand Transport Agency Board:

1. approves funding for the detailed design and enabling works of NZTA’s Rangiriri Section of the Waikato Expressway projectat an estimated cost of $9.20million; and
2. delegates approval of funding for the main construction of NZTA’s Rangiriri Section of the Waikato Expressway project to the Chief Executive; subject to, as conditions precedent:
   1. an incremental assessment to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive of the scoping options for the Waikato Expressway to ensure the final scope and form of the expressway is supported by robust analysis; and
   2. successful contractual negotiations for the main construction which is no more than the estimated cost of $70.80 million and funding availability within the NLTP; and
   3. successful resolution of all outstanding mitigation negotiations with Waikato Tainui.

Reason for the decision

1. The assessment profile for this Section of the Waikato Expressway is aligned with the Waikato Expressway package and has been determined as being of High strategic fit, High effectiveness and Low economic efficiency.
2. The Waikato Expressway Road of National Significance contributes to the LTMA objectives of assisting economic development by improving travel times and journey reliability, and assisting safety and personal security on the major transport link between Auckland and Hamilton by providing a much safer travel environment.
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.