Hon Gerry Brownlee
Minister of Transport
29 June 2014
$212 million for regional State highway projects
Prime Minister John Key has this morning announced $212 million from the Future Investment Fund for a package of 14
regionally important State highway projects.
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the government is committing up to $80 million from the package to accelerate
five critically important regional projects, with work beginning next year.
These five projects are:
• Kawarau Falls Bridge, in Otago
• Mingha Bluff to Rough Creek realignment, in Canterbury
• Akerama Curves Realignment and Passing Lane, in Northland
• State Highway 35 Slow Vehicle Bays, in Gisborne
• Normanby Overbridge Realignment, in Taranaki.
“These projects are fully investigated and designed, and address current safety, resilience or productivity issues, but
construction wasn’t due to begin until late this decade or after 2020,” Mr Brownlee says.
“Following today’s announcement construction on these projects could begin in 2014/15, and be completed by 2016/17.
“The government is committed to fund the next six projects with an additional $115 million and subject to the usual
investigations, construction would be expected to begin within three years on each of these projects.
The six projects are:
• Whirokino Trestle Bridge replacement, in Manawatu/Wanganui
• Motu Bridge replacement, in Gisborne
• Opawa and Wairau Bridge replacements, in Marlborough
• Taramakau Road/Rail Bridge, on the West Coast
• Loop road north to Smeatons Hill safety improvements, in Northland
• Mt Messenger and Awakino Gorge Corridor, in Taranaki.
“A further $12 million will be available to accelerate investigation and design of three large projects in Hawke’s Bay,
Nelson and the Bay of Plenty,” Mr Brownlee says.
These projects are:
• Port of Napier access package, in Hawke’s Bay
• Nelson Southern Link, in Nelson
• Rotorua Eastern Arterial, in Bay of Plenty.
“Each project could then be considered for funding under the proposed Regional Improvements activity class in the next
Government Policy Statement on land transport.
“By directly funding some of the most crucial State highway improvements, the government is freeing up more funding in
the Regional Improvements activity class for other priority projects.
“This funding package also strongly complements the government’s Roads of National Significance programme, ensuring
people and freight reach their destinations quickly and safety,” Mr Brownlee says.
Links to maps and descriptions of each project:
Kawarau Falls Bridge, in Otago –
Mingha Bluff to Rough Creek realignment, in Canterbury –
Akerama Curves Realignment and Passing Lane, in Northland –
State Highway 35 Slow Vehicle Bays, in Gisborne –
Normanby Overbridge Realignment, in Taranaki –
Whirokino Trestle Bridge replacement, in Manawatu/Wanganui –
Motu Bridge replacement, in Gisborne –
Opawa and Wairau Bridges replacements, in Marlborough –
Taramakau Road/Rail Bridge, on the West Coast –
Loop Road North to Smeatons Hill safety improvements, in Northland –
Mt Messenger and Awakino Gorge Corridor, in Taranaki –
Port of Napier access package, in Hawke’s Bay –
Nelson Southern Link, in Nelson
Rotorua Eastern Arterial, in Bay of Plenty
ENDS