Media statement | 30 June 2008

Access and safety Land Transport NZ's focus for Gisborne and Hawkes Bay

Improving access to the Port of Napier and addressing safety and efficiency challenges on SH2 in the Wairoa district are key priorities for the 2008/09 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

Land Transport NZ today announced $2.7 billion in transport spending for New Zealand in the 2008/09 NLTP, including over $97 million allocated for investment in Gisborne’s and Hawkes Bay’s land transport networks. Nearly $62 million will go toward maintaining road networks in the two regions. Of this, $30 million will be spent on local road maintenance and $32 million on state highways. A further $9 million has been allocated for road policing activities in Hawkes Bay and $5 million for road policing in Gisborne.

NLTP funding has been committed to progress ongoing projects in the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions including:

• design of the Matahoura Gorge realignment on SH2 between Napier and Wairoa
• the Hawkes Bay expressway southern extension
• design of the Waipukurau overbridge realignment on SH2.

In the past year NLTP funding has seen the successful completion of the Meeanee Road interchange on the Hawkes Bay expressway and the Hirini port access road in Gisborne.

Land Transport NZ Central region Partnerships Manager Ian Hunter says the agency and its partners are committed to making major routes in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay safer and more efficient. The continuation of regional development funding for Tairawhiti in the Gisborne region should enable the completion of all priority works in the area.

“A total of $1 million has been allocated in the 2008/09 NLTP for passenger transport operations and total mobility activities in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. The Hawkes Bay Regional Council is considering options and costings for upgrading bus services to provide more commuter services. The council has budgeted for a significant increase in services over the next three years,” Mr Hunter said.

The following projects may also be funded during the year:

• the Hastings northern arterial in Hasting district
• East Cape seal extensions
• The Crosses Road cycleway project in Hastings district, to provide a safe cycle link between Hastings and Havelock North.

Over $600,000 has been allocated to allow councils to work with communities to develop and deliver safe and sustainable local transport activities.

Mr Hunter 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:

Ian Hunter
Partnership Manager, Central
(04) 931 8900  or 0274 506 966