Waka Kotahi announces $376 million investment in Hawke’s Bay’s land transport system
A $376 million investment in the region's land transport system will improve safety and resilience while supporting the region’s economy and forecast growth, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says.
This planned investment over the next three years is part of a wider $24.3 billion investment in the New Zealand transport system set out in the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
The NLTP comprises $15.6 billion from the National Land Transport Fund, generated through fuel excise, road user charges and other revenue sources; $4.6 billion from local government, generated through rates; and $3.8 billion in other Crown investments.
Director of Regional Relationships Linda Stewart said the investment in the region announced today was a 16 per cent increase on the previous three-yearly National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
While the existing transport system has the capacity to accommodate forecast growth, there will be pressure on the network, particularly surrounding the port from heavy vehicles," Ms Stewart said.
As a result, a large portion of the money - $214m - has been earmarked for maintenance and operations costs for state highways and local roads.
But Ms Stewart says safety improvements are also a top priority, particularly given the region has a "poor safety record".
“Safety is a top priority for Waka Kotahi. More than $53 million will be invested in programmes and projects in Hawke’s Bay that will help save lives,” Ms Stewart says.
Key projects for Hawke's Bay 2021-2024. Photo/Supplied.
“Our focus is on making improvements in the Napier to Hastings urban areas, SH2 between Napier and Waipukurau and high-risk rural roads. This includes infrastructure improvements on 132kms of the state highways and maintenance that will help ensure safe, reliable journeys throughout the region."
During the next three years, they will invest in making 132kms of state highways safer through infrastructure improvements and speed management to reduce annual deaths and serious injuries in the region by five.
This includes making improvements to 38kms of SH2 from Pakipaki and Waipukurau, starting work on 12.4kms of SH51 from Napier to Hastings, and design and the start of construction on improvements to 82kms of SH5 from the Hawke’s Bay roundabout to SH2.
SH5 Napier to Taupō safety improvements include median widening and barriers from Esk Valley through to the Hawke’s Bay boundary with Bay of Plenty (Rangitaiki). A further programme of improvements is expected to follow in the 2024-27 NLTP, Ms Stewart said.
Safety improvements will also be completed on SH51 from Ellison Street to Farndon Road, just north of the Clive township; and between Waipatu and Whakatu, north of Hastings.
Road policing and behaviour change programmes in the region will target alcohol and drug impairment, not wearing seatbelts and speed. A number of speed reviews are planned for the region.
Ms Stewart said investment through the NLTP will contribute to a land transport system for Hawke’s Bay that will be safer and easier for people to use, effectively support the region’s economy and keep communities connected.
On SH2, between Napier and Wairoa, 600m of the road is being relocated away from the Mohaka River as it is undermining the Raupunga Bluff. Investigations are also underway regarding options to re-align SH2 at Waikare Gorge to improve safety, reduce the risk of flooding and undermining of the road, and improve the reliability of access for communities in the north of the region.
To help support economic growth, design work is underway for an upgrade of the SH2 Prebensen Drive/Hyderabad Road intersection including road reconfiguration and cycle path connection, which will be completed this year.
This, along with the Napier Port Access business case and new Weigh Right facility, will improve access to the port and safety, she says.
A spike in deaths and serious injuries on SH5 Napier to Taupō has prompted a business case to better plan maintenance, upgrades and renewals on this stretch of highway. This follows an increased programme of maintenance in the last year with a number of reseals to improve safety.
Resilience works will be carried out on the Palmerston North to Gisborne Line in 2021–24 to support freight connections. The Ormondville Viaduct will be strengthened, 12kms of track will be re-sleepered and track and civil infrastructure works carried out to reduce derailment risks and improve formation and drainage.
Full details of the investments being made through the National Land Transport Programme, including detailed regional breakdowns, can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/nltp
