MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
4 June 2002

Transfund funding injects new life into Waikato four-laning

Transfund New Zealand has increased its funding allocation to $74.5 million to allow Transit New Zealand to complete the four-laning of State Highway 1 from Mercer to Longswamp.

Transfund Chairman Michael Gross said the funding commitment was in response to a revised strategy submitted by Transit.

“Transfund was concerned about potential cost over-runs and delays associated with the difficult nature of the terrain,” said Mr Gross. “Transit’s strategy is to minimise potential cost increases and includes the re-use of sections of the existing road. This has reduced the expected overall project cost.”

In making its funding decision Mr Gross said Transfund took into account the importance of the project to the region and in particular safety concerns of road users. “This stretch of State highway is one of the most dangerous in the country. Separation of the carriageways with a median barrier and grade separation at the interchanges will make the road safer for users and this meets one of the main objectives of the Government’s recently released transport strategy.”

ENDS

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