Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Roading investment to unlock Tairāwhiti’s economic potential
Hon Shane Jones
Minister for Regional Economic Development
7 September 2018
MEDIA
STATEMENT
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has today announced an investment of up to $137 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to help unlock Tairāwhiti’s economic potential through stronger, safer and more resilient transport connections.
The full package, which provides $151.7 million towards road infrastructure over five years, will be funded through the PGF and the National Land Transport Fund, and brings the total road investment in the region to $312 million.
“The road network in Tairāwhiti has suffered from historical under-investment and recurring extreme weather events,” Shane Jones says.
“The locals have repeatedly told me they need an efficient and reliable road network that better connects the community, helps them get goods from farm gates and forests to the local and global market, and supports tourism.
“That’s why the Government is providing Tairāwhiti with a much-needed boost from the PGF to improve the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure and create sustainable economic growth in the region.
Today’s funding announcement will help to unlock the region’s potential by:
· improving the connections between the region and major transport hubs and markets;
· safeguarding visitor and business access to the region;
· generating employment and skills development opportunities through a stable pipeline of construction work over a sustained period and increased investments in the region; and
· enabling Māori to better participate in the economy.
“The purpose of the PGF is to accelerate regional development, increase regional productivity, and contribute to more, better-paying jobs. I’m confident that today’s announcement will achieve each and every one of these goals,” Shane Jones said.
Physical works
| Project | Description |
| Improved local road level of service (resurfacing, strengthening, drainage, corner easing etc) | Improved level of service on the current road condition on journeys with significant freight movements. These are proactive maintenance-focused improvements that seek to provide a minimum level of service in line with future economic activity whilst improving access to key destinations identified by local communities. |
| Route security State Highway 35 | Resilience improvements targeted at route security and network availability issues on State Highway 35. |
| Heavy Industrial Zone
Upgrade (focus on MacDonald, Dunstan and Aerodrome Roads) | Improvements to surface condition and level of service in response to current and future demands associated with intensified economic activity. Improvements include strengthening and widening the road to support increasing freight volumes. |
| Rakaiatane Road Upgrade (road to Eastland Port) | Strengthening the road to support increasing freight volumes and responding to current and future demands associated with intensified economic activity. |
| East Cape Road sealing the first 1.6km | Sealing 1.6km to provide a consistent level of service between existing sealed sections of East Cape Road to support improved access for the community. |
| Route security (focus on local roads) | Resilience improvements targeted at structural issues that could be progressed now. |
| 50 MAX improvements | Local network efficiency improvements through enabling 50MAX bridge capability on economically active corridors within the region (including local road network). |
| Makokomuku single lane bridge
replacement
| Responding to the ongoing maintenance, resilience and inefficiencies associated with two single lane bridges and one dual lane bridge. |
| Full High Productivity Motor Vehicle (HPMV) access - Napier to Gisborne | State highway bridges and culverts upgraded to support HPMV. |
| Full High Productivity Motor Vehicle (HPMV) access - Gisborne to Opotiki | State highway bridges and culverts upgraded to support HPMV. |
Five year pipeline
| Project | Description |
| Route Security: Tiniroto Road | Resilience improvements targeted at route security and network availability issues on Tiniroto Road to deliver improved access to isolated communities and improved inter-regional resilience providing a more reliable alternative route. |
| The Kings Road/Harper Road local road upgrade | Efficiency improvements and reducing conflicts between community and commercial activities within the region. |
| Passing Opportunities | Passing opportunities: SH2 Gisborne to Opotiki SH2 Gisborne to Napier SH35. |
| Route Security: State
Highway 35
| Resilience improvements targeted at route security and network availability issues on SH35. |
| Route Security: East Cape. | Resilience improvements targeted at route security and network availability issues on East Cape Road (local road) which delivers improved access to isolated communities and enhanced tourism opportunity. |
| Waikare Gorge | Realignment. |
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