Simeon Brown Welcomes Progress on New Roads of National Significance Projects

The Government is prioritising 17 Roads of National Significance, highlighted in the recent Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS).

Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the news that the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is advancing the Government's first seven Roads of National Significance (RoNS) projects, expected to begin procurement, enabling works, and construction within the next three years.

"Delivering on commitments in our coalition agreements, we are moving at pace to progress a new generation of RoNS across the country to support economic growth and get people and freight to where they want to go, quickly and safely. There is plenty of work to be done, and I'm pleased to see NZTA taking the first steps to deliver upon the Government's ambitious plan for New Zealand's transport network," said Brown.

The Government is prioritising 17 Roads of National Significance, highlighted in the recent Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS).

"NZTA has now appointed project teams to accelerate consenting, property acquisition, and design. They are engaging construction partners to progress the first phase of seven RoNS projects, with an aim to begin procurement, enabling works, and construction in the next three years," Brown noted.

Among these projects, the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is already underway, with construction for Ōtaki to North of Levin set to begin next year. The new phase of projects includes Belfast to Pegasus (including the Woodend Bypass), the Hawke's Bay Expressway, SH1 Cambridge to Piarere, SH29 Tauriko, Takitimu North Link Stage 2, Mill Road, and Warkworth to Wellsford.

"NZTA intends to approach the Northland Roads of National Significance as a single strategic corridor, with Warkworth to Wellsford being the first section of focus," Brown added.

In addition to the first phase of seven RoNS projects, investigations and project planning for the remaining eight will also commence within the next three years. "We are committed to delivering a significant pipeline of transport infrastructure which will unlock economic growth and productivity across New Zealand and help Kiwis get where they need to go quickly and safely," Brown emphasized.

Brown stressed the importance of fast-track legislation to ensure a pipeline of consented infrastructure projects. He criticized the previous government for halting the infrastructure pipeline, which left Warkworth to Wellsford as the only new major roading project with a consent.

"Investments in these essential corridors will make it easier for New Zealanders to get where they need to go, create a more productive and resilient transport network, drive economic growth, and unlock land for thousands of new houses," Brown stated.

"The RoNS projects previously built by National are some of New Zealand's most successful State Highway corridors, reducing congestion and improving safety. Moving at pace to build a new generation of RoNS signals our Government's focus on prioritising investments that deliver real value to commuters and businesses," Brown concluded.