Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced a record $32.9 billion investment in New Zealand’s transport network through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) to create a more reliable and efficient transport network. Here is an overview of the announcement and we have links below detailing what will be happening region by region.
Starting work on three key Roads of National Significance – SH1 Warkworth to Wellsford, advancing an alternative route to the Brynderwyn Hills, and upgrading SH1 Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei. These projects will create a continuous 100km state highway upgrade between Auckland and Whangārei, known as the Northland Expressway – one of the largest infrastructure projects in New Zealand’s history.
Prioritising three Roads of National Significance (RoNS) – SH1 Warkworth to Wellsford, Mill Road, and the East-West Link. An additional North West Alternative State Highway (SH16) is planned for Auckland and will be progressed in the 2027-30 period. Three Roads of Regional Significance will also be progressed – SH1 Papakura to Drury, Penlink, and work will start on Waihoehoe Road upgrade. Planning for an additional Waitematā harbour connection and the Northwest Rapid Transport Corridor will continue.
A commitment to build two new Roads of National Significance in the Waikato – SH1 Cambridge to Piarere and the Hamilton Southern Links project to unlock land for thousands of houses in New Zealand’s fastest growing city. Another key focus in the Waikato region is to the replacement of several bridges with a new two-lane SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua, and replacing the SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge and SH27 Ohinekaua Stream Bridge.
Investigating upgrades to SH29 Tauriko West connections, replacing the SH29 Omanawa Bridge, and progressing work across two stages for the Takitimu North Link. Investigating options to improve resilience along SH2 Awakeri to Ōpōtiki and to strengthen connections on SH2 Waioeka Gorge between the East Coast and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
A focus on fixing damage caused to the roading network by Cyclone Gabrielle including work at SH35 Mangahauini Gorge to restore and protect this critical highway which sustained major damage. Work is also underway to design a permanent replacement for SH35 Hikuwai Bridge for the East Coast community.
Four-laning the SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway as a new Road of National Significance with work to begin between Taradale Road and Pākowhai/Links Road over the next three years. The Manawatū Tararua Highway connecting Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay will be completed in this NLTP period. Investigating road and rail network options for SH2 Waikare Gorge, SH5 Napier to Taupō, SH2 Ōpōtiki to Napier, SH2 Devil’s Elbow and flood management at Eskdale.
Investing over $350 million on maintenance and pothole prevention including resealing and rehabilitation works on 319 kilometres of state highway. Sealing the Forgotten Highway SH43. Progressing work on the Mt Messenger Bypass to remove a steep, narrow, and winding section of SH3, and on the Waitara to Bell Block section of SH3. End-of-life replacement for SH3 Mangapepeki No.2 Culvert.
Construction to begin in the next three years on the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway to strengthen connections for motorists and freight travelling between Greater Wellington and Palmerston North. The Manawatū Tararua Highway between Woodville and Ashhurst will also open in the next three years.
Prioritising two new Roads of National Significance (RoNS) – the Petone to Grenada Link Road and Cross Valley Link, and improvements to SH1 from the CBD to the airport, which will include a second Mt Victoria Tunnel and upgrades to the Basin Reserve. Progressing two Roads of Regional Significance – the SH2 Melling transport improvements to provide better access to central Lower Hutt and completing stage 2 of the safety improvements on SH58.
Replacing the SH6 Coal Creek Overbridge and a further 10 bridges and culverts on local roads to increase resilience on the network. On SH7 Lewis Pass, work will start on reconstructing a six-kilometre section from the summit to Maruia Springs and improvements to drainage on SH73 Jacksons and SH6 south of Ross. Greater resilience will be built into the network on SH6 from Haast to Hawea.
Prioritising the SH1 Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass as a new Road of National Significance (RoNS). Progressing work on three Roads of Regional Significance – SH1 Rolleston access improvements, SH75 Halswell Road improvements, and a second Ashburton Bridge.
Rock armouring at SH1 Katiki Straight to prevent coastal erosion, flood mitigation work at the Kakanui River and SH1 Waikouaiti, and addressing rockfall sites on SH8, SH83 and SH85. Working with councils to replace 17 bridges and culverts throughout the regions, including the culvert at Shepherds Hut Creek in Queenstown
