Media statement | 30 June 2008

Route security and connectivity Land Transport NZ's focus for Taranaki

Improved route security and better connections on the region’s road network are key priorities for Taranaki 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 over $64 million allocated for investment in Taranaki’s land transport system. More than $37 million will go toward maintaining Taranaki’s road networks, an increase of $6.9 million over 2007/08. Of this, $13.2 million will be spent on local road maintenance and $24.5 million on state highways. A further $7.9 million has been allocated for road policing in the Taranaki region.

NLTP funding has been committed to progress ongoing projects in Taranaki including:

• $20.2 million for the construction of the Bell Block bypass on SH3, a new route between Paraite Road and Egmont Road bypassing a section of highway with a high crash rate
• $9.2 million for construction of the Rugby Road underpass realignment on SH3 to address safety issues.

In the past year NLTP funding has seen the realignment of SH3 at Awakino and an upgrade of the Mangaorei Road/SH3 intersection to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

Land Transport NZ Midland region Partnership Manager Rosalie Orr says the transportation of dairy and forestry products continues to have an impact on the region’s roads, leading to increasing demand for intersection upgrades, wider bridges and passing lanes.

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

• upgrading three bridges on Wiremu Road to improve safety in the South Taranaki district
• six bridge and culvert replacements in the New Plymouth district to improve safety
• widening of the Tangahoe bridge to improve safety.

Ms Orr 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.

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