No fast track for Mackenzie roads

The Covid-19 lockdown has not helped delivery targets for road safety improvement works to major tourist and freight routes in the Mackenzie Basin.

Various upgrades to roads in the district were announced in February as part of the Government’s $12 billion Big New Zealand upgrade programme, including safe stopping areas, new rest areas, improved signage, edge protection, road widening, passing opportunities, and tourist information.

The work was scheduled to start next month.

Last Thursday in Parliament, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean tried to get the work fast tracked on state highways 7, 79 and 80 under the Covid-19 Recovery Bill but her proposal was voted down by the Government.

The bill was designed to get projects moving and the rejection of the proposal was a ‘‘massive let down’’ for the region, Dean said.

‘‘Local residents have been raising concerns about these roads for some time – they have been the scene of too many accidents and near misses.

‘‘This stretch of road inland through the Mackenzie gets incredibly busy, it also forms part of a major economic transport corridor which, given the state of the economy, should be prioritised.’’

She said she ‘‘strongly urged’’ the Government to reconsider, particularly given the local jobs the project would create.

However, Andrew Crofts, network manager for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in Canterbury, said they are looking at having the Mackenzie highways regional upgrade improvements project scoping completed by the end of next week and then have design work done.

‘‘As a priority project, it will be a challenge to deliver it in a year’s time and yes, the Covid-19 lockdown has not helped the delivery target.’’