NZTA’s strong commitment to Tairawhiti

Oliver Postings, NZ Transport Agency transport systems manager for Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay

Opinion

It has been just over a month since the Tairawhiti Roads joint venture between the NZ Transport Agency and Gisborne District Council was disestablished — and the Transport Agency’s focus on the region is stronger than ever.

Previously, Gisborne District Council and our people worked together regardless of whether it was a state highway or local road. Now, we are both set up to focus on our own part of the network.

The Transport Agency will continue to engage with our local partners to ensure we take a one-network view of Tairawhiti.

Both Gisborne District Council and the Transport Agency share a maintenance contractor, so there are real synergies in how we can deliver strong safety and efficiency outcomes that enable our community to grow.

Downer, which holds the Network Outcome Contract, has also realigned its business to suit the new model.

The partnership between the Transport Agency and Gisborne District Council has evolved, but we are continuing to maintain a strong presence in Gisborne, and we are continuing to support the development of the region.

The new structure will see our Gisborne and Napier offices work closely together for the benefit of the region.

The locally-based teams will ensure we deliver the large Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and National Land Transport Programme-funded projects within the time frame agreed with the Government.

Under Tairawhiti Roads, the Transport Agency and Gisborne District Council managed over 3000 kilometres of roads. The change will see the Transport Agency continue to contribute 68 percent of the funding for local roads, but in terms of maintainance, our focus will now be the 330km of state highways.

Despite this, there is no shortage of upgrades and improvement projects to keep the local team on the ground busy.

This month, we will be completing installation of rumble strips on State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Matawai, between Gisborne and Wairoa, as well as on State Highway 35 between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay.

Rumble strips are a simple but effective tool for preventing deaths and serious injuries, and can reduce fatal run-off-road crashes by up to 42 percent.

Over 400km of rumble strips or textured markings (which will be installed on parts of the road that are close to people’s homes, to limit noise) are planned to be installed across the three sections of state highway.

They are part of our Safety Boost Programme’s $6 million worth of improvements in the Gisborne region. Through this programme, we have also installed safety barriers and widened road shoulders at high-risk locations on Gisborne state highways.

Recently, the PGF announced $139m of investment into the region’s roading, which is on top of one of the National Land Transport Programme’s largest ever allocations for Tairawhiti.

There are many PGF projects under way in the region, as well as a speed management proposal for State Highway 35.

We know that some locals along SH35 are concerned with travel speeds. This feedback, as well as findings from our technical safety assessment, means SH35 has been prioritised in our national Safe Network Programme for a speed review.

The speed review is part of a package of works for SH35 to improve safety, resilience and access.

A period of community engagement is planned for November, so our partners and communities can give feedback on the Transport Agency-led projects.

We are committed to strengthening our relationships with our communities and partners to get the work that needs to happen done.

In the meantime, anyone who has concerns about the state highways in the region can contact us on 0800 44 44 49.