The Coalition Government has announced a list of roads that will be prioritised under the new programme 'Roads of Regional Significance'.
The programme will sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of the Government's plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country. It would replace the roading component of the NZ Upgrade Programme, introduced by the previous Labour-led Government in 2020.
The programme will single out essential routes that require reprioritisation, Transport Minister Simeon Brown said.
Under the $6.54 billion existing transport funding, two Roads of National Significance and 10 Roads of Regional Significance projects will be progressed. Brown was clear there would be no additional Crown funding.
Two further projects will now be incorporated into the Mill Road and Whangarei to Port Marsden Roads of National Significance listed in the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024, Brown added.
"The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s most successful State Highway corridors, reducing congestion and improving safety," Brown said.
"Expanding this programme to roads that are regionally significant will ensure that our cities and regions are well-connected, and our economy thrives.
"When we came to government, we were advised that there would be a significant funding gap of up to $1.5 billion to deliver the NZUP projects. This is in addition to the cost increases which resulted in major project cancellations under the previous government, such as Mill Road."
Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Brown have agreed to delegate all decision-making responsibilities around project scope and delivery to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
It means Ministers would no longer determine project scope and funding decisions, which Brown believed was leading to project delays and scope creep under the previous Government.
"Our Government will deliver a transport system that boosts productivity and economic growth and allows New Zealanders to get to where they want to go, quickly and safely. Prioritising the delivery of roading investment across New Zealand is part of our plan to boost productivity and rebuild the economy."
To be progressed as Roads of National Significance:
- Takitimu North Link Stage 1
- Otaki to North of Levin
To be progressed as Roads of Regional Significance:
- Penlink
- Waihoehoe Road
- SH1 Papakura to Drury
- SH1/29 Intersection
- SH58 Improvements Stage 2
- Melling
- Canterbury Package – Rural Intersections
- Canterbury Package – Rolleston Upgrade
- Canterbury Package – Halswell
- Queenstown Package
The Whangarei to Port Marsden and Manukau to Takaanini projects will be incorporated into the SH1 Whangarei to Port Marsden and Mill Road Roads of National Significance already listed in draft GPS 2024. These will be considered for funding through the National Land Transport Programme.
The Brougham Street and SH22 Drury projects will complete pre-implementation so that they are ready for delivery. However, any further Crown funding for these projects to progress beyond pre-implementation will only come from the $6.54 billion baseline funding, subject to the completion of other projects in delivery and procurement.
