Road access to the Taupō district will be safer in 20 to 30 years time.
Business cases are near completion for a major upgrade to State Highway 1, 100km north and south of Taupō. Associate Minister for Transport Julie Anne Genter was in Taupō last week and she confirmed the business cases for SH1 Taupō to Piarere and Taupō to Waiouru are both due to be completed by the end of the year.
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The minister was quick to refute previous information from the NZ Transport Agency that the business cases were on hold due to the government's new policy, Road to Zero. Ms Genter said the ministry wanted to make an immediate impact on the road toll. She expects the reduced speed limits and installation of wire barriers from Road to Zero will work in tandem with the massive changes to SH1 brought about by the business cases.
"It's all about preventing the tragic loss of life."