Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Seven more significant roading projects across the country are now under way - earning a tick of approval from Transport Minister Simeon Brown.
The government has drawn up a list of 17 Roads of National Significance it wants to be a priority for completion.
They were outlined in the government's recent Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS).
Questions remain over just how much those roads may cost. The government has repeatedly said it would aim to use alternative revenue options where possible, including public-private partnerships, and user-pays options like road tolling, equity finance schemes, and value capture.
Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency / Waka Kotahi has begun the procurement, enabling works and construction programmes for seven of them to be undertaken over the next three years.
"Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is already underway with Ōtaki to north of Levin to begin construction next year," Brown said.
"NZTA is now adding to the Roads of National Significance pipeline with the next phase of projects which include Belfast to Pegasus (including the Woodend Bypass), the Hawke's Bay Expressway, SH1 Cambridge to Piarere, SH29 Tauriko, Takitimu North Link Stage 2, Mill Road, and Warkworth to Wellsford."
The Northland Roads of National Significance would be treated as a single strategic corridor, with Warkworth to Wellsford the first section to be focused on, Brown said.
"Delivering on commitments in our coalition agreements, we are moving at pace to progress a new generation of RoNS across the country to support economic growth and get people and freight to where they want to go, quickly and safely."
The government had an ambitious plan for the country's transport network and it was pleasing NZTA was taking first steps, he said.
Investigations and project planning for the remaining eight would also start in the next three years.
"New Zealand needs fast-track legislation to ensure that we have a pipeline of consented infrastructure projects, such as the Roads of National Significance. The previous government abruptly stopped that infrastructure pipeline, which left us with Warkworth to Wellsford as the only new major roading project with a consent.
"Investments in these essential corridors will make it easier for New Zealanders to get where they need to go, create a more productive and resilient transport network, drive economic growth, and unlock land for thousands of new houses."
