Transit starts record number of projects

Transit New Zealand

National Office

Media release

26 June 2007

Transit starts record number of projects in 2007/08

Transit New Zealand on behalf of the government announced the greatest number of project investigation, design and construction starts ever in the coming financial year, with today's release of the 2007/08 State Highway Forecast.

"The record number of state highway projects we are planning to start this year clearly demonstrates what can be achieved with funding certainty," Transit's chief executive Rick van Barneveld says.

In Budget 2006 the Government announced a five-year funding guarantee for the land transport sector, including the state highway network.

Transit New Zealand's 10-year State Highway Plan and Forecast for 2007/08 to 2016/17 sets out in detail Transit's programme of work for the coming financial year, along with the planned activities for the remainder of the five-year plan (2006/07 to 2010/11) and an indicative forecast for the remaining years.

Government investment in state highways continues to be significant at $1.2 billion for the coming financial year and $13.3 billion forecast over the next 10 years.

"Transit is committed to continuing in its drive to achieve value for money. One example of ensuring we get value for money is involving contractors early in project development so that they can work with designers on scope and design and help keep costs at a minimum," Mr van Barneveld says.

New large projects (over $4 million) to be started around the country in the coming financial year include:
• design of Newmarket Viaduct in Auckland
• design of the Tauranga Eastern Motorway
• investigation of Prebensen Drive/Hyderabad Road Interchange in Napier
• design of Hawke's Bay Expressway Southern Extension
• design of Rimutaka Corner Easing (Muldoons) on SH2 north of Wellington
• investigation of Memorial Ave Intersection in Christchurch
• investigation of Christchurch Northern Arterial Rural.

"As well as the large projects, we will be undertaking some 150 small to medium sized projects," Mr van Barneveld says.

Maintaining and operating the state highway network remains paramount for Transit. The importance of maintenance was also a common theme across the submissions Transit received during the consultation period. Almost 40 percent of work in 2007/08 is made up of activities that contribute towards continued safe operation of the network.

Mr van Barneveld says the Forecast also reflects the results of the consultation process which Transit undertook around New Zealand during March.

"Of 268 submissions received, the highest number showed a keen interest in Transit supporting safe walking and cycling activities.

"Over the next 10 years we plan to spend up to $54 million on walking and cycling facilities on state highways, both as part of construction work and to specifically improve regionally agreed walking and cycling networks. This is an increase of 63 percent compared to our last year's Forecast of $34 million over a 10-year period," Mr van Barneveld says.

The Government last month announced changes to the national planning and funding system as part of the Next Steps Review of the land transport sector. Since the detailed implementation of the changes is still being worked through, no consequences of the review have been included in this Forecast.

Further details of the 10-year State Highway Plan and Forecast, including a copy can be found on the Transit website: http://www.transit.govt.nz/planning/forecast.jsp Printed copies will available from Transit offices throughout the country from early next week. To obtain a copy, requests can also be emailed to ltp@transit.govt.nz.

ends

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