Transport funding in Bay boosted

A $350 million transport funding package in an effort to get Kiwis travelling in a more environmentally friendly fashion will include millions of dollars of investment in projects across Hawke’s Bay.

The Transport Choices package, first announced in May, will mean almost 400 bus stops will be constructed or upgraded and more than 240km of cycleways developed, alongside more than 100 safety improvements to school areas and 11 new bus prioritisation lanes through funding spread across councils across New Zealand.

Transport Minister Michael Wood announced the details of what would be funded through the package in Auckland yesterday.

The projects known to be a part of the funding include:

■ $6.4 million in additional funding to progress the Heretaunga Arakura (Hastings Pathways to School) programme. The Waka Kotahi funded and Hastings District Council programme aims to get more students walking, biking and scooting to school healthy, active habits, cut the volume of emissions created by school runs, and reduce congestion at the school gate.

■ Western gateway Tennyson St CBD cycling connection in Napier

■ A cycle lane conversion programme converting three existing painted cycle lane routes into separated cycleways in Napier

■ A Wairoa cycling programme creating Shared paths and protected cycle lanes around Tiaho Primary School and Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o Nga¯ti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa School

■ Otane and Porangahau pedestrian upgrades including 3.75km of walking and cycling paths in Otane.