KEY POINTS:
Extra funding means over 40 new road improvement projects will be undertaken around the country over the next year, Transit New Zealand said today.
Transit today released its State Highway Plan and Forecast detailing planned state highway maintenance and capital improvements.
Chief executive Rick van Barneveld said the plan and forecast marked the third year of Transit's five-year plan of works made possible by Budget 2006, which provided $1.3 billion in extra funding for a portfolio of "key deliverable" projects.
Transit planned to start construction on around 45 new road improvement projects.
These would include large projects like the State Highway 2 Waipukurau overbridge realignment in Hawke's Bay and the Akerama Curves realignment in Northland on State Highway 1.
Smaller projects, ranging from new passing lanes and seal widening projects to safety improvements and walking and cycling projects were also in the plan, Mr van Barneveld said.
"Once completed, these projects will make the journeys of thousands of motorists each day safer and easier."
The National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) announced yesterday by Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) showed a record amount would be spent on the country's roads this year.
The NLTP sets out how LTNZ will fund road maintenance, improvement and development. It showed $2.7 billion will be spent on infrastructure and service in 2008/09, $301 million more than in 2007/08.
LTNZ acting chairman Paul Fitzharris yesterday said the funding was allocated for an "ambitious range of projects" and would allow for growth in passenger transport services, and walking and cycling.
The new NLTP includes a $62m increase for passenger transport funding to $325m, $127m increase for state highway construction to $791m, $10m for local road construction to $222m, $13m increase for road policing activities to $273m and $27.6m allocated for a research, education and training programme.
- NZPA
