MEDIA RELEASE

Bay of Plenty benefits from Government announcement

For immediate release:
Thursday 12 February 2009

Environment Bay of Plenty, on behalf of the Regional Transport Committee, has welcomed the announcement that the Government will be putting funding towards three roading projects in the region.

The Minister of Transport Steven Joyce announced more than $520,000 for Bay of Plenty road maintenance and renewal projects in the current financial year as part of the Government’s Jobs and Growth Plan.

The creation of four lanes on Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua, will receive $20,000 and the $4 million project to widen the bridge over the Mangorewa Stream, near Paengaroa, will get a $500,000 boost.

The package included $3,000,000 for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions for raised profile tactile markings and safety retrofits/barrier upgrades. It also included some money for modifying the Pekatahi flood channel in Whakatane, to make it more resistant to earthquakes.

Regional Transport Committee Chairwoman Jane Nees was pleased to hear that the Bay of Plenty had benefited from the plan.

“The Bay of Plenty is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand, with the country’s fifth largest city, and this growth has led to increased pressure on our roads. It was therefore good to hear we will get some much needed funding towards our programme of roading projects,” said Mrs Nees.

Mrs Nees also noted that prior to the election, National pledged $100 million to improving the central corridor in Tauranga from 15th Avenue to the Maungatapu Roundabout.

ENDS

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