30 August 2013

Commitment to key Hawke’s Bay Roading projects reinforced

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Transport Committee has reinforced its commitment to its top three transport projects it wants to see happen in the region.

At today’s last meeting before October’s local body elections the committee reiterated the strategic importance of its three key projects - the Whakatu Arterial - SH2 Napier Road extension, intersection improvements connecting the Expressway, Pakowhai Road and Links Road and the Ford Road extension.

The three projects have all been highlighted as projects that will help grow the economy in Hawke’s Bay. They have been given “probable” funding status priority in the National Land Transport Programme and would be paid for from the region’s $26.8 million “R” (regionally distributed) funds, plus local shares from Hastings District and Napier City Councils.

The Whakatu Arterial Link is the top priority project, which would link the industrial area of Whakatu with Napier Port and improve connections between Napier and Havelock North. The cost of the Whakatu project is $19,748 million. A collaborative process has been undertaken to help the community understand the aim of the project and feed into the proposed design. The views of iwi/hapū have been considered, with a preference for reduced traffic on Ruahapia Road, particularly around the marae.

Investigations into the HB Expressway/ Pakowhai/ Links Rd intersections, complements the Whakatu arterial. The proposal has looked at various matters including safety, design and noise. The design needs to be compatible with the future vision of a four-lane Hawke’s Bay Expressway between Links Road and Meeanee Rd. Links Road is 22nd on the national list of high risk intersections and the proposal would remove inefficiencies associated with traffic signals, provide effective access to Pakowhai Road and incorporate walking and cycling. The estimated cost of the project is $7.536 million.

Napier’s Ford Road extension is the third project, which would allow better access through the Onekawa industrial area and to the port. It is costed at $3,571 million.

All three projects have been on the table for several years, with the committee well aware of the importance of them proceeding to be built over the next three years.

ENDS

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