Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has announced a $289 million investment for the Top of the South's road network.
The three year investment plan aims to strengthen, make safe and plan the future development of Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough's transport system.
Waka Kotahi director regional relationships Emma Speight says more than $212m of the spend will be used on maintaining the local road and state highway network, with a further $31 million on improvements.
She says $22 million will be invested during the next three years to help save lives across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough including upgrades to High St, Motueka (SH60) and on State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson.
The announcement is part of a $24.3 billion programme of investment planned for New Zealand’s land transport system over the next three years, detailed in Ngā Kaupapa Huarahi o Aotearoa | 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), published today by Waka Kotahi– www.nzta.govt.nz/nltp
It will include progressing the Nelson Future Access Project, Richmond Programme Business Case and Blenheim Integrated Transport Strategy.
Waka Kotahi say they will be working with regional partners to plan the development of the land transport system to support anticipated population growth and the regions’ economies to thrive.
“Our investment in Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman through the NLTP will help create a land transport system that gives people better access to employment and education opportunities, supports the safe and reliable movement of freight and strengthens the resilience of important corridors to keep communities connected," says Emma.
Work will also continue with KiwiRail, Port Marlborough and the Marlborough District Council to support the Waitohi Picton Transport Network planning and Waitohi Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment project.
This will ensure the transport system was able to accommodate increased traffic volumes from the two larger ferries which will begin sailing Cook Strait from 2024.
“In a world experiencing the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, ensuring there is a reliable flow of goods to market is critical. Our investment through this NLTP period will help ensure road and rail connections throughout the Top of the South are well maintained to support the regional economy. This includes resilience works on the Main North Rail Line,” says Emma.
Full details of the investments being made through the National Land Transport Programme, including detailed regional breakdowns, can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/nltp
