Fri, 2 July 2004

State Highway 2 revamp moves ahead

Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard says he's pleased to see the $53 million project to improve State Highway 2 from Dowse Drive to Petone continues to feature in the National Land Transport Programme's highest-ever budget of $1.4 billion.

Transfund has allocated $104.8 million to the Wellington region in 2004/05, which is $2.4 million more than last year.

Trevor Mallard said the new 10-year plan from Transit - which builds and maintains state highways with Transfund allocations - confirms its intention to start building the State Highway 2 upgrade in the next financial year.

The project includes building an overbridge at the Korokoro intersection and an interchange at the Dowse Drive intersection via a roundabout raised over the highway.

Transfund has also put a $1 million project for seismic strengthening of the Silverstream Bridge on its indicative priority list, meaning it may be approved this year.

"Nationally, Transfund is spending 50 per cent more than three years ago, and the fluctuations in major roading projects see the Wellington region doing handsomely some years and more modestly in others," Trevor Mallard said.

"The government has recently committed to working jointly with Wellington local authorities to comprehensively address the region's transport needs."

Road maintenance gets a major share of Wellington's allocation, with a $5 million increase to $40.8 million.

Trevor Mallard said Wellington's allocation from Transfund does not include the regional share of the increased fuel tax of 5 cents a litre that takes effect next April. This will add an estimated $22.2 million for Wellington region projects in 2005/06.

"That additional funding will cement in the government's commitment to deliver better roads and transport for all New Zealanders," Trevor Mallard said.

ENDS

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