$1.4b of road works announced

Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Associate Minister Julie Anne Genter announced on Monday a $1.4 billion, three-year programme to make New Zealand’s highest risk roads safer.

The Safety Network programme will target an estimated $600 to $700 million of state highway safety improvements and $700 to $800m of local road safety improvements.

State highway projects already identified for the Bay of Plenty region are SH2 Waihi to Omokoroa and Omokoroa to Te Puna (TNL).

Safety improvements in Safe Network Programme will include fixing dangerous corners, installing roadside and median safety barriers, shoulder widening, further safety improvements for high risk intersections, rumble strips, improving skid resistance, improving rail level crossing safety and setting safe and appropriate speed limits.

Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggatt welcomed the Government’s investment in the safety of existing roads and said, “It is nevertheless disappointing that there is still no commitment for critical new state highways which would drive productivity, reduce congestion and also improve safety.

“One significant project that will disappoint the freight industry and the local community in the Bay of Plenty is the Tauranga to Katikati upgrade, which has still to be prioritised by this Government. The road is one of the most dangerous in the country and is carrying everincreasing traffic volumes. While some safety improvements will be made to the existing road, the route desperately requires a fourlane highway with appropriately controlled access points and separation of opposing traffic,” he said.

Associate Transport Minister, Julie Anne Genter said, “Local councils will be offered a higher level of central government funding to fix high-risk, local and regional roads.

“Over half of all fatal crashes happen on local roads and we recognise central government funding will help make these roads safer sooner,”she said.