Video: Hawke’s Bay Expressway one of Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance
A much-touted election campaign promise could become a reality as the Government has earmarked the Hawke’s Bay Expressway as one of 15 Roads of National Significance.
This will see the Expressway between Napier and Hastings turned from a two-lane to a four-lane highway. The issue is something that local candidates for both National and Labour campaigned on in the elections last year.
In a visit to Hawke’s Bay today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that one of the Government’s initiatives is modern, reliable infrastructure.
“We all know that we have a massive level of infrastructure deficit here in New Zealand, with subsequent underinvestment over many decades now. We know we've got a big catch-up job to do there as well. That's why we've said we've got 15 roads of national significance, four major public transport projects that we want to invest in, but we also are going to use private capital to be able to do that.”
“I spent time last week talking to the Premier of Victoria, for example, where they have used a range of private funding to be able to get infrastructure built much quicker, and therefore the benefits flowing through to people much easier.”
Earlier this week Transport Minister Simeon Brown said that the Coalition Government’s priority for investment in the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport is to support economic growth and productivity and ensure our land transport system allows people and freight to move quickly and safely.
“Delivering on commitments in our Coalition Agreements, we are re-introducing the successful Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 crucial projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand,” Brown says.
“Investments in these essential corridors will make it easier for New Zealanders to get where they need to go, create a more productive and resilient transport network, drive economic growth, and unlock land for thousands of new houses.”
“The RoNS projects previously built by National are some of New Zealand’s most successful State Highway corridors, reducing congestion and improving safety. Independent analysis has found the construction of eight new bypasses, between January 2009 and December 2016, resulted in up to a 37 percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries across those roads.”
All RoNS will be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and delivery options should be considered to deliver them in stages as quickly as possible.
Brown says that legislation is already underway to provide fast-track consenting approvals.
“We expect this to support major transport projects within the GPS, like the RoNS. This will provide immediate confidence to the construction sector to invest in capability and equipment needed to deliver projects.”
“The use of alternative revenue, funding, and delivery models will also support delivery of the RoNS. This includes Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), increased use of tolling, ‘Build, Own, Operate, Transfer’ equity finance schemes, and value capture, to generate additional revenue and deliver infrastructure in a more efficient manner.
“Building a new generation of Roads of National Significance signals our focus on prioritising investments that deliver real value to commuters and businesses, ensuring our cities and regions are well-connected and our economy thrives.
Brown has invited local government, the transport sector, community groups, and the wider public to have their say on the draft GPS. Projects and funding commitments will be confirmed through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) later this year.
In reaction to the news this week, local Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd (National) said: “This is a significant development on the road to getting the Four Lane Expressway built. I have been advocating strongly for the Four Lane Expressway as it’s essential for our region.”
“Following the election, our Prime Minister and Transport Minister came straight to Hawke’s Bay at the first opportunity and saw for themselves the state of our roads and the desperate need for a more resilient roading network.”
“Our Government is listening to provincial New Zealand and knows how important a resilient four lane expressway will be for Hawke’s Bay. It will drive productivity and ensure we can get around Hawke’s Bay faster and safely.”
Wedd says the Government is committing more than $20 billion over the next three years, making this one of the biggest investments in transport and infrastructure in New Zealand’s history.
“After years of cancelled and delayed transport projects, our Government has been elected to deliver for New Zealanders We’re serious about getting our transport system back on track so you can get where you need to be faster and safer.”
