Latest news with #NZTABoard
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Progress On The SH1 Belfast To Pegasus Motorway And Woodend Bypass Project
Minister of Transport Hon James Meager Minister for the South Island Associate Minister of Transport Work is moving at pace on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass project, with geotech work beginning this week, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager say. 'The Government is committed to supporting the fast-growing Waimakariri District. This much needed transport infrastructure will boost economic growth, reduce congestion, improve safety and access to housing growth areas. SH1 approaching Woodend currently carries around 21,500 vehicles per day, of which nine percent is freight. The traffic volume is expected to reach 28,000 vehicles per day by 2048. There have been 280 crashes on SH1 through Woodend between 2014 and 2023, with three fatalities and 25 serious injuries,' Mr Bishop says. 'The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board endorsed the investment case for the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance in November 2024, which proposes: Widening the southern section of the existing SH1 from two to four lanes. A new four-lane motorway bypass in the northern section. A grade separated interchange at the Williams Street intersection with SH1. Replace the Pegasus roundabout with an overbridge and signalised intersection. Kaiapoi Bridge seismic strengthening and widening. Construction of new bridges over the Cam River and overbridges at Woodend Beach Road and Gladstone Road. Tolling to support the construction and maintenance of the road. 'In addition to endorsing the investment case in November last year, the NZTA Board also approved $68.1 million in initial funding to complete detailed design work and advance an early works package, as well as around $37 million for property acquisition. Further funding to begin and complete main construction will be considered by the NZTA Board in due course. 'Delivering this project has substantial benefits, including a three-minute travel time saving along the state highway, and up to 10 minutes at peak. It is also expected to reduce traffic through Woodend from 21,000 vehicles per day to 8,000, and a reduction in deaths and serious injuries from 5.6 to 1.25 per year. 'The investment case endorsed by the NZTA Board sets an investment envelope between $800 million and $1 billion to design, consent, and construct the project. 'The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 (GPS) requires NZTA to consider tolling for all new RoNS. The investment case confirms tolling is possible and the revenue will support the construction and maintenance of the road. The Government will consider this recommendation and announce next steps of the process in due course.' 'NZTA is continuing to move at pace on the project with the detailed design contract awarded to Aurecon and Tonkin + Taylor in March this year. Getting geotech works underway is an essential part of the design phase of the project and will involve drilling around 70 boreholes up to 35 metres deep and digging pits at individual sites within the construction area,' Mr Meager says. 'The geotechnical investigations will look at ground conditions, including soil and rock types, groundwater depths and the strength of soil and rock. This work will take around two months to complete. 'Once geotechnical data is available, NZTA will confirm the scope and design of an early works package and prepare and lodge consent applications. The early works package will likely begin in early 2026, while main construction is likely to begin later in 2026. The project is expected to take four years to complete. 'SH1 is a nationally strategic freight route and provides critical access to Christchurch City, Christchurch International Airport, Lyttelton Port, and the major health, education, commercial and industrial services in the Canterbury region. Delivering the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance will significantly improve reliability of the corridor and ensure people and freight can get where they need to go, quickly and safely. 'I want to thank local Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey, Banks Peninsula MP Vanessa Weenink, Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith and Mayor Dan Gordon who have been a staunch advocates of this project, as well as wider Canterbury MPs Hamish Campbell and Nicola Grigg. I know we're all looking forward to seeing more progress in the months and years ahead as we move into construction as soon as possible.'
Scoop
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Next Steps For State Highway Speed Reversals Programme
Press Release – NZ Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) carried out six weeks of public consultation on these 49 sections of state highway between 30 January and 13 March, and the NZTA Board considered the consultation results earlier this month. Community consultation has concluded, results have been analysed, and decisions have been made on speed limits for 49 state highway corridors, with most locations set to return to their previous higher speed limits. On 29 January 2025, the Minister of Transport confirmed that 38 sections of state highway were subject to speed limit auto-reversal under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, with a further 49 sections open to community consultation to confirm whether there was public support to retain current lower speed limits. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) carried out six weeks of public consultation on these 49 sections of state highway between 30 January and 13 March, and the NZTA Board considered the consultation results earlier this month. Over 21,500 people had their say, and based on their feedback, 43 locations will return to their previous higher speed limits, with six remaining at their current lower speed limits. The six locations that demonstrated majority public support, as required by the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, to keep their current lower speed limit were: SH30 Rotorua South SH5 Waipā State Mill Road SH5 Waiotapu, SH3 Whanganui SH3 Palmerston Northeast to Whakarongo SH94 Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Local road users and communities in these six locations made their support for the current lower speed limits clear through consultation feedback: More than 50 per cent of respondents asked for the current lower speed limits to be retained for each of these locations. NZTA can now confirm that these lower speed limits will remain in place. Public support levels for the other 43 sections of state highway did not reach a similar level of support, with less than 50 per cent of respondents wishing to retain lower speed limits. NZTA will now add these 43 locations to its wider list of speed limit reversals and will begin notifying local communities in each of the locations about upcoming signage changes. Implementation of the speed limit reversals will be rolled out in monthly tranches, with all reversals to be in effect by 1 July 2025, as required by the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024. NZTA acknowledges there are a wide range of opinions on speed limits, and thanks everyone who took the time to share their views. A summary of feedback received through the consultation process is available here: This feedback will be valuable in shaping future speed reviews. This includes concerns voiced by local schools and marae. NZTA will now work with those schools and iwi, hapū, and marae to see what other safety interventions, such as Variable Speed Limits (VSLs), can be applied under the Rule to help them keep vulnerable users safe. VSLs are required by the Rule to be implemented outside all schools by 1 July 2026. Work is continuing separately on consultation on 16 of the 38 sections of state highways subject to auto-reversal requirements under the Rule, but where local communities have given strong feedback that they want to keep lower speeds. For consultation on these 16 sections of state highway, NZTA is required to follow different process under the Rule. This involves undertaking a full speed review, which includes looking at technical, safety, cost and economic data, alongside consultation feedback, before being able to confirm final speed limit outcomes. Consultation on these 16 sections of state highway is open for six weeks, between 2 April and 14 May, and the results of this phase of work will be known in June. If the new speed reviews determine a lower speed should be confirmed, instead of the higher one set through the reversal process, this change will take place immediately after 1 July 2025.
Scoop
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Next Steps For State Highway Speed Reversals Programme
Community consultation has concluded, results have been analysed, and decisions have been made on speed limits for 49 state highway corridors, with most locations set to return to their previous higher speed limits. On 29 January 2025, the Minister of Transport confirmed that 38 sections of state highway were subject to speed limit auto-reversal under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, with a further 49 sections open to community consultation to confirm whether there was public support to retain current lower speed limits. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) carried out six weeks of public consultation on these 49 sections of state highway between 30 January and 13 March, and the NZTA Board considered the consultation results earlier this month. Over 21,500 people had their say, and based on their feedback, 43 locations will return to their previous higher speed limits, with six remaining at their current lower speed limits. The six locations that demonstrated majority public support, as required by the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, to keep their current lower speed limit were: SH30 Rotorua South SH5 Waipā State Mill Road SH5 Waiotapu, SH3 Whanganui SH3 Palmerston Northeast to Whakarongo SH94 Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Local road users and communities in these six locations made their support for the current lower speed limits clear through consultation feedback: More than 50 per cent of respondents asked for the current lower speed limits to be retained for each of these locations. NZTA can now confirm that these lower speed limits will remain in place. Public support levels for the other 43 sections of state highway did not reach a similar level of support, with less than 50 per cent of respondents wishing to retain lower speed limits. NZTA will now add these 43 locations to its wider list of speed limit reversals and will begin notifying local communities in each of the locations about upcoming signage changes. Implementation of the speed limit reversals will be rolled out in monthly tranches, with all reversals to be in effect by 1 July 2025, as required by the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024. NZTA acknowledges there are a wide range of opinions on speed limits, and thanks everyone who took the time to share their views. A summary of feedback received through the consultation process is available here: This feedback will be valuable in shaping future speed reviews. This includes concerns voiced by local schools and marae. NZTA will now work with those schools and iwi, hapū, and marae to see what other safety interventions, such as Variable Speed Limits (VSLs), can be applied under the Rule to help them keep vulnerable users safe. VSLs are required by the Rule to be implemented outside all schools by 1 July 2026. Work is continuing separately on consultation on 16 of the 38 sections of state highways subject to auto-reversal requirements under the Rule, but where local communities have given strong feedback that they want to keep lower speeds. For consultation on these 16 sections of state highway, NZTA is required to follow different process under the Rule. This involves undertaking a full speed review, which includes looking at technical, safety, cost and economic data, alongside consultation feedback, before being able to confirm final speed limit outcomes. Consultation on these 16 sections of state highway is open for six weeks, between 2 April and 14 May, and the results of this phase of work will be known in June. If the new speed reviews determine a lower speed should be confirmed, instead of the higher one set through the reversal process, this change will take place immediately after 1 July 2025. More information about the sections of state highway currently under consultation can be found on the NZTA website:
Scoop
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
The Road Ahead: Northland Corridor Sections 2 And 3 Taking Shape
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is progressing design investigations within the emerging preferred corridor for Section 2 and Section 3 of the Northland Corridor Roads of National Significance project announced by Transport Minister, Hon. Chris Bishop earlier today. The emerging preferred corridor for the 45km section between Te Hana and Port Marsden Highway (Section 2) and the 26km section between Port Marsden Highway and Whangārei (Section 3) allow further work to get underway to deliver benefits faster for Northland communities and businesses. The individual sections within the emerging preferred corridor are: Section 2: Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway Section 2A: A new route to the east of SH1 between Te Hana and Brynderwyn Hills Section 2B: A new route to the near east of SH1 at the Brynderwyn Hills Section 2C: A new route to the west of SH1 between Brynderwyn Hills and Port Marsden Highway Section 3: Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei Section 3A: A new road near to SH1 between Port Marsden Highway and SH15 Loop Road Section 3B: A widened existing SH1 corridor approaching urban Whangārei NZTA Northland Corridor Programme Director, Derek Robertson, says NZTA is working at pace to deliver a safer, more resilient and more efficient road for Northland. 'The Northland Corridor will address the critical resilience and safety issues facing the current road.' Mr Robertson acknowledges that while this is a very exciting time for Northland, it's an uncertain time for landowners in the emerging preferred corridor area. 'Now that we have identified the emerging preferred corridor, we will start contacting potentially impacted landowners who are within the area to let them know the next steps. Due to the size of the project, this will take time, but we are working hard to contact landowners as quickly as we can. 'The emerging preferred corridor is a larger area than will be required for the final route. Within the emerging preferred corridor there are still several different places the road may go. 'The next piece of work we do will be to refine this route further so we understand more about where the final road will go, and the land that may be required for it. 'We expect to narrow down the emerging preferred corridor to the preferred route for NZTA Board for endorsement in August/September this year. After that we will be able to confirm the preferred route and provide landowners with greater certainty about any impacts to their properties.' Alongside this, NZTA is continuing work on Section 1 Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana. The procurement process got underway last month and detailed design and construction for this section is expected to begin at the end of next year. A completion date for Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana will be confirmed following procurement but is currently expected to be around 2034. 'The Northland Corridor will be a vital link between Northland and Auckland, unlocking economic growth and productivity, and allowing people and freight to move efficiently, quickly and safely across the region. It will bring the resilience Northland needs to thrive after years of significant road closures due to severe weather events,' Mr Robertson says.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tauriko West Road Of National Significance Gets Green Light To Move Forward
Press Release – New Zealand Government As part of the SH29 Tauriko West RONS, a new SH29 will be built and SH29A widened to support economic growth, productivity, commercial and residential development, protect the strategic freight route, and improve resilience and reliability, and … Minister of Transport The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Board's endorsement of the Tauriko West Road of National Significance investment case is great news for jobs and growth in the western Bay of Plenty, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 'Western Bay of Plenty is growing strongly and the government is committed to unlocking its potential. The new Tauriko West Road of National Significance will support economic growth, increase productivity and connectivity to Bay of Plenty, and boost housing and commercial development,' Mr Bishop says. 'State Highway 29 (SH29) and State Highway 29A (SH29A) are the primary inter-regional and freight connections between Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. These state highways are essential for growth and prosperity in the upper North Island.' The NZTA Board has endorsed the investment case for the new Tauriko West Road of National Significance, consisting of: A 4-lane offline SH29 from Redwood Interchange to Takitimu North Link Interchange, designed to accommodate speeds of 110km/h Widening existing SH29A from Takitimu Drive Toll Road to Barkes Corner 7 intersection upgrades, including 3 new interchanges and 2 overbridges Current SH29 to become a local road Board support for consideration of tolling subject to Ministerial confirmation. The NZTA Board has also approved $97.2 million in funding for route protection. 'As part of the SH29 Tauriko West RONS, a new SH29 will be built and SH29A widened to support economic growth, productivity, commercial and residential development, protect the strategic freight route, and improve resilience and reliability, and safety for all users,' Mr Bishop says. 'These upgrades will support the Tauriko Business Estate extension and enable the potential development of 30,000 new houses in the Western Corridor by 2063. Other benefits of the project include a 40 per cent improvement in travel time reliability, 13 min reduction on SH29 and 6 min reduction on SH29A, and a projected 50 per cent reduction in deaths and serious injuries.' The Tauriko West project will be delivered in four phases: Phase 1: Ōmanawa Bridge replacement (SH29) – The replacement of the Ōmanawa Bridge, realignment of the connections on SH29 around the bridge and minor improvements to the Ōmanawa Road Intersection. Construction is expected to start later this year. Phase 2: Route protection for SH29 and SH29A – Designating, consenting and progressing property acquisition so NZTA is ready to proceed with the detailed design and construction when funding is made available. This also protects the route from being built out in the upcoming development of the area. Phase 3: SH29 offline – Constructing a new 4-lane SH29 from north of Ōmanawa Bridge to connect to Takitimu North Link Interchange including Takitimu Drive Toll Road, and revocation of the existing SH29 (indicative design and construction timeframe, subject to funding). Phase 4: Widening existing SH29A – From Takitimu Drive Toll Road to Barkes Corner and a new interchange at Barkes Corner. 'With the NZTA Board's endorsement of the investment case, the SH29 Tauriko West RoNS can now progress to designate and consent a new route between Ōmanawa Bridge and Takitimu North Link in the western Bay of Plenty, for future construction. 'Protecting the Tauriko West route provides certainty for this significant growth area and ensures NZTA is best placed to move forward when funding for design and construction becomes available. It also protects the route from being built out in the upcoming development of the area. 'The investment case endorsed by the NZTA Board sets a budget envelope of between $2.8 billion to $3.3 billion for the overall project, with decisions to unlock funding made by the NZTA Board as each phase of the project progresses. 'Phase 1 and 2 of the project to replace the Ōmanawa Bridge and start route protection for the SH29/SH29A corridor are underway, with phase 3 and 4 covering the construction of a new four lane SH29 and widening of the existing SH29A. 'The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS 24) requires NZTA to consider tolling for all new RoNS. The investment case supported tolling to help fund the construction and maintenance of the road, and the NZTA Board will consider further information before making a final recommendation to the Government. If tolled, Tauriko West has a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.7. 'The SH29 Tauriko West RoNS project is a critical part of the Government's plan to boost economic growth and productivity, increase the availability of much needed housing and industrial development, and improve safety on our roads.'
