Media statement | 28 June 2006

Safety and efficiency Land Transport NZ’s focus for Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman

Safe and efficient roads to withstand traffic growth are the focus for Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman in the 2006/07 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

Land Transport NZ today announced $2.3 billion in transport spending for New Zealand in 2006/07, including $37 million for investment in Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman ’s land transport network. This includes $26 million for maintenance of state highways and local roads and $9 million for construction of state highways and local roads.

Land Transport NZ chair Dr Jan Wright says the agency and its partners are committed to making Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman’s major routes safer and more efficient.

Funding has been committed for the continuation of the replacement the single-lane Awatere Bridge south of Blenheim on SH 1 with a new two-lane bridge with realigned approaches. This project will provide a higher standard of service for road users, especially heavy vehicles, and improve safety.

Projects which may be funded during the year include:

• Replacement of two bridges and pavement reconstruction on Northbank Road in Marlborough
• Replacement of the Normanby Bridge for structural reasons and a continuation of the cycleway construction programme in Nelson
• Investigation of the Whangamoa South realignment on SH 60 to improve safety
• Design of the Ruby Bay bypass to improve safety.

Funding for NZ Police land transport activities in the Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman region totals $7 million. The road safety goal for Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman is that by 2010 fatalities and hospitalisations will be fewer than 110 per annum. There were 177 fatalities and hospitalisations due to road crashes in 2005.

Dr Wright says the activities funded through the NLTP reflect Land Transport NZ’s objective of contributing to an integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system.

“New Zealand faces huge transport challenges. The $2.3 billion allocated by this year’s NLTP will help us meet those challenges.”

Regional newsletters, a fact sheet and the NLTP book, which details all projects in the 2006/07 NLTP, will be available at www.landtransport.govt.nz from 6pm today.

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
(04) 931-8822
021 276 3222

Ian Hunter
Partnership Manager, Central
(04) 931 8900
0274 506 966