$50m for Hamilton highway approved

Long-awaited funding approval for almost $50 million of construction on two sections of State Highway 1 around Hamilton has lifted a threat of unprecedented legal action against Transit NZ.

Hamilton Mayor Michael Redman confirmed last night that the prospect had receded with Land Transport NZ's approval of funds for Transit to build a 2km bypass of Avalon Drive in the city's northwest and widen a 1km section of road on its northern approach.

The threat arose after Transit issued a draft highways forecast in February deferring a start on the bypass, for which the city council was arranging a land-swap, for two years.

That was before the Government announced a $1.5 billion national funding boost for land transport over the next five to 10 years, followed late last week by official approval for both the bypass and the widening of SH1 between Church Rd and Avalon Drive.

An earlier delay to that project caused big headaches for motorists and the council, because of what city transport committee chairman Dave Macpherson called "diabolical" road congestion exacerbated by the opening of the Base shopping centre along the way.

Mr Redman said he was confident both projects could start in the coming construction season, for completion well before 2011, as Transit acknowledged that the time had arrived "for action".

Although Land Transport has not disclosed the size of its grants, the Avalon bypass from Rotokauri Rd south to Norton Rd near Frankton is expected to cost about $41 million.

It will include two new roundabouts, to separate local traffic from long-distance travellers, and the lowering of Norton Rd to pass under a new rail bridge needed to replace a potentially dangerous level-crossing.

Widening SH1 on Hamilton's northern approach to four lanes is expected to cost almost $8 million, including a city council contribution of $2.5 million.

Land Transport has also approved $4.4 million for design work on an 11km state-highway bypass of Cambridge expected to start by 2011 and cost more than $65 million.