Media statement | 30 June 2008

Reducing congestion Land Transport NZ's focus for Bay of Plenty

Improving route security and improving access to the Port of Tauranga for heavy commercial vehicles are key priorities for the Bay of Plenty in the 2008/09 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

Land Transport NZ today announced $2.7 billion in transport spending for New Zealand in the 2008/09 NLTP, including $153 million allocated for investment in Bay of Plenty’s land transport network. Just over $56.5 million will go toward maintaining Bay of Plenty road networks, an increase of $5.4 million over 2007/08. Of this total, $19.5 million will be spent on local road maintenance and $37 million on state highways.

A further $15.6 million has been allocated for road policing in the Bay of Plenty region.

NLTP funding has been committed to progress ongoing projects in the Bay of Plenty including:

• $225 million for the harbour link (second harbour bridge), which will connect the Hewlett’s Road four-laning to the east and Takitimu Drive to the west of Tauranga harbour
• design and construction of enabling work for the Pyes Pa bypass
• upgrading the Putiki Road bridge to improve safety in the Whaktane district.

In the past year NTLP funding has seen the successful completion of the widening of Ohope Road in Whakatane and the four-laning of Hewlett’s Road in Tauranga.

Land Transport NZ Midland region partnerships manager Rosalie Orr says the agency and its partners are committed to meeting the range of transport challenges which economic growth and an increasing population are presenting in the region. Demand for public transport in the region is expected to increase due to rising fuel prices and longer travel times for drivers caused by traffic congestion at peak times, especially in Tauranga city.

“A total of $4 million has been allocated in the 2008/09 NLTP to passenger transport operations and total mobility activities. Environment Bay of Plenty is working closely with Tauranga City Council to ensure bus services meet increased demand in Tauranga. The Council may commence the design of a public transport centre in the CBD during 2008/09,” Ms Orr said. 

The following projects may also be funded during the 2008/09 year:

• construction of a roundabout on Malfroy and Ranolf streets in Rotorua
• widening two bridges over the Mangarewa stream on SH 36 to improve safety. 

Ms Orr says the activities funded through the NLTP reflect Land Transport New Zealand’s objective of contributing to an integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system.

Regional newsletters, a fact sheet and the NLTP book, which details all projects in the 2008/09 NLTP, will be available at www.landtransport.govt.nz/funding/nltp/2008/ from 6pm today.

For more information:

Rosalie Orr
Partnership Manager, Midland
(07) 958 7840 or 0274 523 230