Bay’s $591 transport package

A $591 million transport package aimed at roading and infrastructure for the Bay of Plenty has been unveiled by the NZ Transport Agency.

The package is designed to grow industry and jobs, improve safety, and support economic development and population growth in the Bay.


Part of the $591m transport package will target advancing the Hairini Underpass. Photo: File.

An estimated $255m will target continued economic productivity and growth, advancing key projects such as the Baypark to Bayfair upgrade and Hairini underpass.

The public transport system will receive $45m, with an additional $8.5m to provide school buses for children in Tauranga.

Projects designed to get more people walking and cycling, such as the Rotorua Cy-Way and the Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway, will receive funding totalling $9m.

$4.9 million will be invested into roads safety promotion and education activities targeting regional issues.

$244m will be invested in maintaining and renewing the road network, with $141m for local roads and $103m for state highways - a six per cent increase on the previous National Land Transport Programme.

The $591m investment is the region's share of the $13.9 billion 2015-2018 NLTP, a partnership between local authorities - who invest funding on behalf of communities - and NZTA, which develops the programme and invests funding from petrol taxes, road user charges and vehicle registration and licensing fees.

Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee chair and councillor Jane Nees says the programmes funded in the NLTP will support expected growth in urban areas in the Western Bay of Plenty, while ensuring efficient access to the Port of Tauranga from Auckland, Waikato and the rest of the region.

Jane says the investment programme is closely aligned with the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan, which makes the case that investment in the Bay of Plenty transport system is critical to enhancing the performance of our regional and national economy.

'The mix of programmes funded will achieve this while also addressing safety, resilience, public transport and active modes of transport.

'I also welcome the move towards more integrated planning for road and rail, as the lack of this has been of concern to the Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee in the past.”

NZTA's acting Waikato Bay of Plenty regional director Robert Brodnax says a large part of the investment in the Bay of Plenty recognises and supports the vital part the region plays in New Zealand's social and economic success.

'The Bay of Plenty is one of four regions including Northland, Auckland and the Waikato that make up the upper north island, an area that is vital to the growth of our country.

'The upper north island is home to over half of New Zealand's population, and generates more than 50 per cent of the national GDP. More than half of all freight moves through this area and roads freight figures are forecast to increase by 59 per cent by 2042.

'The Bay of Plenty is also growing, and it is important that our investments support that regional growth.

He says off the back of NZTA's investments in the soon-to-be-opened Tauranga Eastern Link, its focus for the next three years in the Bay will be on building a safe and efficient transport network to enable local growth, enable easy access for rural goods to markets and people to city-based services.

Robert says improving safety on roads in the Bay of Plenty will continue to be a major focus for the Transport Agency, with investment planned on routes such as State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Waihi, and SH2 Wainui Road to Opotiki.

NZTA will also continue working to improve safety and provide more reliable travel times between Pokeno and Tauranga via Waihi, and SH29 on the Kaimai Range.

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6 comments

Overit

Posted on 30-06-2015 18:10 | By overit

The underpass will be popular with taggers.


So, did I miss something ??

Posted on 30-06-2015 23:02 | By The Caveman

Did this little backslapping "National Govt" publicity media release forget John Keys election promise about 15th Avenue


Hmmm

Posted on 01-07-2015 08:59 | By How about this view!

"a partnership between local authorities - who invest funding on behalf of communities - and NZTA, which develops the programme and invests funding from petrol taxes, road user charges and vehicle registration and licensing fees." AND "Projects designed to get more people walking and cycling."


Sound great but?

Posted on 01-07-2015 12:06 | By YOGI BEAR

The budget has been dropped by some $45-70m as the Government has backed out of the promised Turret/15th Ave widening project and dumped that on TCC. The result being that TCC cant afford to do it so not happening. What a joke all of this above is. Meaningless stuff as little new in there just rehashing to pretend something more and special is happening when it is not.


Re So Did I Miss Something

Posted on 01-07-2015 14:59 | By Merlin

Re Turrett Ave more broken promises from this Government.Now only 3 bridges in Northland are going ahead under this lot of funding not 10.Sorry 4 bridges Simon but this is only one way.No new taxes just call them levies.So much smoke and mirrors again


The underpass will be

Posted on 01-07-2015 15:35 | By earlybird

wonderful as you'll be able to get to the traffic jam that much quicker


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