MEDIA RELEASE
5 March 2010

RTC chair welcomes Expressway progress

The chair of the multi-agency Waikato Regional Transport Committee says the Government’s announcement today of the contract for the Te Rapa section of the Waikato Expressway is great news for the regional economy and road safety.

Cr Norm Barker, of regional council Environment Waikato, also welcomed the Government’s re-statement of its target to get the whole expressway finished by 2019.

“This Te Rapa funding package is another fantastic sign of how our region is getting its economic infrastructure right and it also reflects the commitment local and central Government have collectively made to cutting the Waikato’s way-too-high road toll.

“The Minister of Transport’s re-statement of the Government’s target to finish the whole expressway by 2019 is another very important announcement.

“If we want to maximise regional and national economic efficiency, and save lives, we simply can’t afford to let the timelines for this project drift.”

Cr Barker said he looked forward to the Government announcing further progress on getting the expressway completed as quickly as possible.

“The Regional Transport Committee – which includes representatives from EW, Hamilton City and the district councils – will be working closely with Government to ensure progress is kept on track.”

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What is Environment Waikato?
Environment Waikato is the regional council for the Waikato region.

The council’s area extends from the Bombay Hills in the north to Mt Ruapehu in the south, and from the mouth of the Waikato River to Mokau on the west coast, across to the Coromandel Peninsula on the east.

The region contains nationally important electricity generation facilities and an internationally significant dairy sector. It is also home to iconic natural features which are key tourist attractions.

Environment Waikato’s responsibilities include:
• sustainable management of natural and physical resources, including pest control.
• planning regional growth and transport, and providing bus services.

• civil defence, emergency response, navigation safety, dam safety, flood management, erosion control and road safety.

ENDS

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