Have your say on Wellington region’s three-year transport programme

People in the Wellington region are being encouraged to have their say on a proposed programme of transport projects to be carried out over the next three years.

Fran Wilde, Chair of Greater Wellington and the Regional Transport Committee, says the programme aims to improve transport infrastructure and services around the region. “This proposed programme of work will make it easier and safer to travel around the region, reduce congestion and help make our transport network more resilient.”

The draft programme is made up of projects proposed by local councils, Greater Wellington and the NZ Transport Agency. The projects range from minor road maintenance works across the region through to multi-million dollar safety improvements to Mt Victoria Tunnel and an electronic integrated ticketing system for all public transport in the region. The estimated cost of all projects in the proposed programme is $1.4 billion.

Fran Wilde says the main sources of funding for the programme are central government via road user charges and fuel excise tax, and the regional and local councils via rates and public transport fares. “There are implications for regional and local council rates but we’ve tried hard to put together a programme that’s realistic and affordable. We’ve very keen to know what people think.

“We are particularly looking for feedback on the priority of the larger projects that would start within the next three years and that would cost more than $5 million. There are 13 projects on this list, including improvements to the Mt Victoria Tunnel and around the Basin Reserve, an electronic integrated ticketing system for public transport, the section of the new SH1 expressway between Mackays Crossing and Peka Peka, and a new cycle and walkway from Petone to Ngauranga.”

The programme also identifies other significant transport projects that are expected to start within the next 10 years, along with a 10-year financial forecast. These include the Transmission Gully section of the new SH1 expressway, a second tunnel at Mt Victoria and The Terrace, rail improvements and an upgrade of Petone Esplanade.

Submissions need to be received by Friday 4 May 2012. Details of the proposed Regional Land Transport Programme and how you can make a submission are at www.gw.govt.nz/have-your-say. A summary brochure, with a form that people can complete and post back, will be sent to all households next week (beginning Monday 26 March).

After submissions have been heard, the Regional Transport Committee will recommend an agreed Programme to Greater Wellington Regional Council. Greater Wellington will submit the final Programme to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) around the end of June. The NZTA Board will then decide which projects will be funded through the National Land Transport Programme.

ENDS

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