Media statement | 30 June 2008

Managing traffic growth in Queenstown-Lakes a priority for 2008/09

Managing rapidly increasing traffic growth on roads in the Queenstown-Lakes District is a key regional priority 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 nearly $135 million allocated for investment in Otago and Southland’s land transport network. Almost $94 million has been allocated for road maintenance, including just over $49 million for local roads and $44.5 million for state highways. A further $13 million has been allocated for road policing and associated activities in the Otago region and $6.6 million for the Southland region.

NLTP funding has been committed to progress ongoing projects, including safety improvements on SH1 in Oamaru and Pig Hunter’s Road (SH8).
 
In the past year NLTP funding has seen the realignment of SH1 to reduce travel times between Tumai and Waikouaiti, and improvements to the Morven Hills bridge on SH8. 
 
Land Transport NZ Acting Southern Region Partnerships Manager Mark Yaxley says increasing growth in the Queenstown-Lakes District is putting the area’s transport system under pressure. Mr Yaxley said the Wakatipu Transportation Study (completed and endorsed last year), along with two further transportation studies currently underway will help strengthen the district’s ability to effectively manage this growth.

"Passenger transportation has been identified in the Wakatipu Basin Transportation Strategy as a key component to help alleviate traffic congestion. A detailed plan to improve passenger transport services and facilities in the Wakatipu basin will be carried out in 2008/09," Mr Yaxley said.

Mr Yaxley says nearly $5 million has been allocated in the 2008/09 NLTP to passenger transport and total mobility activities in Otago and Southland. The Dunedin City and Otago regional councils have begun a five-year initiative to improve Dunedin’s bus services. A key objective is to increase commuter bus trips by 40 percent to help reduce peak-hour traffic on Dunedin’s road network.

Other projects that may be funded during the 2008/09 year include:

• structural renewal of the Tiwai bridge near Invercargill
• passing lane construction on SH1 south of Waihola and between Balclutha and Clinton
• seal extensions on Karoro Creek and Ahuriri Roads to improve access to Nugget point, a popular tourist attraction in the Clutha District.

Mr Yaxley says 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 further information:

Mark Yaxley
Acting Partnership Manager, Southern
(03) 964 2865 or 021 437 718