The NZ Transport Agency has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance, with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal - SHIP -  on Friday, says Transport Minister Simeon Brown.

“Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy, and I’m pleased to see NZTA moving at pace in putting forward their proposed approach to deliver on the 15 RoNS,” says Brown.

The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport prioritises economic growth and productivity, maintenance and resilience, safety, and value for money.

“The SHIP outlines NZTA’s proposal for how to deliver the projects detailed in the Government’s recently released draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.

“Over the next three years NZTA plans to begin construction on a number of the RoNS and establish a 10-year construction pipeline."

Brown says NZTA will also look to accelerate project development through fast-track legislation, as well as seek new sources of funding and financing to ensure timely delivery.

“In addition to the RoNS, the SHIP also includes other key commitments like the additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing, Northwest Rapid Transit Corridor, and increased investment in road maintenance and renewals," says Brown.

“To rebuild our economy and ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go quickly and safely, we need to move at pace to deliver the infrastructure our country needs.”

The NZTA Board must adopt a new NLTP before September 1 2024 which will confirm which activities -  including any RoNS projects - may be funded by the National Land Transport Fund over the 2024-2027 period.

The State Highway Investment Proposal can be found here

The SHIP outlines the proposed work programmes being led by NZTA over the next 10 years, with a particular focus on the next three years. 

The SHIP is a key input into Regional Land Transport Plans, which are then used to develop the National Land Transport Programme.

As the Road Controlling Authority  for the State Highway network, NZTA must submit proposals for priority projects and programmes to Regional Transport Committees that they would like to see included in their RLTPs. Once confirmed in RLTPs, project and programmes can then be included in the NLTP.

Phasing of the Roads of National Significance is indicative only, and projects may move forward or backwards depending on a number of factors.

The Roads of National Significance include:

Whangarei to Auckland

• Alternative to Brynderwyns
• Whangarei to Port Marsden
• Warkworth to Wellsford

 Tauranga to Auckland

• Cambridge to Piarere
• Tauriko West State Highway 29

 Auckland roads

• Mill Road
• The East West Link

Roads to unlock housing growth

• Hamilton Southern Links
• Petone to Grenada Link Road and the Cross Valley Link
• North West Alternative State Highway (SH 16)

Other major routes

• Takitimu Northern Link Stage 2
• Hawkes Bay Expressway
• Second Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve upgrade
• The Hope Bypass
• The Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass

Abbreviations:

NZ Transport Agency - NZTA
Roads of National Significance - RoNS
State Highway Investment Proposal - SHIP
National Land Transport Programme  - NLTP
Regional Land Transport Plans - RLTPs
Road Controlling Authority - RCA