NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is seeking public feedback on the proposal to toll the Takitimu North Link roading project.

The national roading agency says the new 14km four-lane expressway will deliver strong safety benefits and increased productivity for people travelling through the western Bay of Plenty.

“Takitimu North Link is a Road of National Significance and a vital transport link in the Bay of Plenty providing a safer and more reliable route between Tauranga and Ōmokoroa,” NZTA director regional relationships David Speirs says.

“Tolling provides an opportunity for an additional source of revenue which supports major infrastructure projects, bringing efficiency, safety and resiliency benefits to the transport network.”

The proposal sets out a 35-year tolling scheme to cover the maintenance costs for Stage 1 (between Tauranga and Te Puna, currently in construction) and to support the construction phase of Stage 2, which extends the four-lane expressway 7km onwards to Ōmokoroa.

Speirs says the Takitimu North Link project is one of three in the North Island for which public consultation on tolling proposals begins today.

People can find information and provide feedback on the proposal by completing the online survey by 5pm on Monday October 7, 2024, Speirs says. Paper copies will be available to collect in local libraries and council offices.

While funding for Takitimu North Link Stage 1 has been provided for the planning and construction of the project and for route protection for Stage 2, tolling the road would provide an alternative funding source. Tolling would allow for the Stage 1 maintenance costs to be covered, keeping the road at an appropriate standard, and would support the construction phase for Stage 2.

NZTA is proposing variable toll prices for the Takitimu North Link to support the traffic flows on the alternative route.

Proposed tolling for Takitimu North Link

Variable toll prices are recommended for the Takitimu North Link. The toll prices being consulted on for when Stage 1 opens (expected 2028) are:

Peak: (7am–9am and 4pm–6pm)

Light vehicles: $3.10

Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $6.20

Off-peak: (9am–4pm and 6pm–7am)

Light vehicles: $2.10

Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $4.20

When Stage 2 opens, there will be two separate gantry points. When travelling the full length between Tauranga and Ōmokoroa the toll prices being consulted on are:

Peak: (7am–9am and 4pm–6pm)

Light vehicles: $4.10

Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $8.20

Off-peak: (9am–4pm and 6pm–7am)

Light vehicles: $3.10

Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $6.20

When travelling in either Stage 1 (Tauranga to Te Puna) or Stage 2 (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa), toll prices remain as in table 1 for each section.

*The toll prices being consulted on are in 2024 dollars, and subject to the Consumers Price Index.

Takitimu North Link is expected to move regional traffic and freight away from local roads, because of the significant benefits for productivity and efficiency.

“Consultation material includes details on the potential toll rates for light and heavy vehicles for each of the new roads, as well as expected travel time savings for drivers and freight vehicles,” Speirs says.

Takitimu North Link is one of three new state highway projects in the North Island with tolling proposals being consulted on, the others being Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway and the Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) route.

After the public has had an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals, all of the submissions and feedback collected will be summarised, providing insights into the level of community support for the proposed tolling schemes in each region.

The NZTA board will consider the results of the consultation and may then recommend tolling to the Minister of Transport. The final decision on whether or not to toll each road rests with Cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport.

The National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) is under increasing pressure to fund transport improvements and increasing road maintenance costs across the country. Tolling provides an opportunity for an additional source of revenue to support major infrastructure projects, bringing efficiency, safety and resiliency benefits to the transport network.

NZTA assesses all new state highways and significant upgrades to existing state highways for tolling suitability. Revenue from tolling can provide another funding option for building, maintenance and operations of road infrastructure, reducing reliance on the NLTF and protecting existing funding for other investment in the transport system.

The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 (GPS) introduces a new expectation for the NZTA to consider tolling to support the construction and maintenance of all new roads, including the Roads of National Significance.