Media statement | 30 June 2008

Safe and efficient roads Land Transport NZ’s focus for Waikato

Safer and more efficient state highways are key priorities for the Waikato region 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 more than $247 million allocated for investment in Waikato’s land transport system. More than $106 million will be spent maintaining Waikato roads, an increase of $7.4 million over 2007/08. Of this, $43 million will be spent on local road maintenance and $63 million on state highways. A further $29 million has been allocated for road policing activities in the Waikato region.

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

• $41 million for the construction of the SH1 Avalon Drive bypass in Hamilton
• $45.9 million for construction of the SH2 Mangatawhiri deviation, to address the high crash rate in the area
• $8 million for design of the Waikato Expressway on SH1 to bypass Ngaruawahia and improve route efficiency.

The following projects may also be funded during the year:

• the design of a western corridor route bypassing Te Rapa on SH1
• construction of replacement bridges on SH25 in Thames at Tarau and Te Puru, to reduce the flooding risk for the local community
• construction of a new signalised intersection on SH1 at Greenwood/Killarney to upgrade the roundabout and reduce traffic congestion.

In the past year NLTP funding has seen the successful completion of the following projects:

• four-laning and construction of a signalised intersection located at Church Road, Wairere Drive and Avalon Drive in Hamilton
• the realignment of ‘Truckies Corner’ in the Awakino Gorge
• repiling and redecking the Waiharekeke bridge linking the Otorohanga and Waikato Districts.

Land Transport NZ Midland region partnerships Manager Rosalie Orr says the agency and its partners are committed to making Waikato’s major routes safer and more efficient. Ms Orr also says rising fuel prices are increasing the popularity of passenger transport which is quickly becoming a more attractive alternative to using the car. Bus patronage in the region is now over three million passengers annually.

"Nearly $7 million has been allocated in the 2008/09 NLTP to passenger transport operations and total mobility activities in the Waikato region. Public transport improvements in the region over the past 12 months include extending the ‘Real Time’ bus information system in Hamilton, and an accessibility trial in the Hamilton CBD to determine appropriate levels of service for the transport disadvantaged," Ms Orr said.

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