SH3 funding not finalised, NZTA says
The country’s transport funding agency has moved to dispel criticism over delays and alleged costcutting to upgrade a dangerous stretch of State Highway 3 between New Plymouth and Waitara.
New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger have accused Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) of cutting funding for the upgrades from $43 million to $29m.
They have also been critical of the lack of progress from the agency on finalising designs.
Kuriger said Waka Kotahi had done ‘‘a U-turn’’ on funding, and she wanted the agency to explain continuing delays to improving safety.
In the last 10 years, 11 people have been killed on the stretch, including eight since 2017.
In response, NZTA said it had never committed to spending $43m on the safety improvements.
‘‘We know waiting years to improve this road is unacceptable,’’ NZTA regional relationship director Emma Speight said in a statement.
‘‘The $43m was an indicative estimate included by Waka Kotahi in the 2015 Taranaki Regional Land Transport Plan – not committed funding.’’
Speight said the $29m figure – or $26.8m after costs to date – quoted by politicians, was funding that was committed to the safety improvements in the 2018-2021 National Land Transport Plan.
‘‘Waka Kotahi expects to request additional funding for this project once the design is complete and we have an accurate understanding of construction costs.’’
Investigations by the agency on roundabout designs at four intersections – De Havviland Dr/ Airport Dr, Princess St, Waitara Rd and SH3A/Mountain Rd – had revealed significant land requirements, historic stormwater infrastructure issues and associated costs, possibly adding to the time to complete the project.
‘‘To make this road safer, earlier, we have been relooking at the initial concepts to see how we can reduce land and stormwater requirements without sacrificing safety or the ability to support residential growth.’’
Speight said the agency expected to confirm new concepts for the intersection improvements in July and indicative construction dates shortly after, subject to board approval and additional funding, land acquisition and resource consents.
The original upgrades included adding four to five roundabouts to replace dangerous intersections where there had been 11 fatalities since 2015.
Kuriger said design plans following three community consultations had been scrapped and the budget cut to $29m by NZTA.
The last National government had planned to spend $40m in 2015 improving four to five sections of the highway, she said.
‘‘Cost cutting, design changes and paring back what has been promised to locals concerned about their safety and for those coming into the region, is nothing short of major U-turn.’’
Holdom said NZTA had cut the budget to $29m and replaced original plans with ‘‘half-arsed’’ alternatives, while people kept being killed on the highway.
Taranaki Regional Council corporate services director Mike Nield said Waka Kotahi/NZTA had never formally advised the council’s regional transport committee of the scope of, and total budget, for the project, nor of any changes to scope or budget.
TRC regional transport committee chair Matthew McDonald said every opportunity had been taken to encourage NZTA to complete the safety upgrades as soon as possible.