Photo: 123rf.com
Waka Kotahi is seeking public feedback on proposals to introduce two new toll state highways in the lower North Island.
Consultation on the proposed tolling schemes for the Manawatū Tararua Highway and the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway opened on Monday.
Regional relationships for Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne director Linda Stewart said all motorists can experience shorter travel times.
"Both Te Ahu a Turanga and Ō2NL will be vital transport links in their areas and will provide everyone travelling them with much safer, resilient and efficient routes connecting Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast and the wider Manawatū-Whanganui region with other parts of the island, including Hawke's Bay and Napier Port," Stewart said.
She said the money collected will go back into road maintenance and development which will take pressure off the National Land Transport Fund.
"The funds generated from tolls on these highways would be used to support a range of activities connected to each project, such as planning, design, supervision and construction of the roads, as well as their ongoing maintenance and operations once completed," Stewart said.
It was set to help protect existing funding for other investment in the transport system.
The free alternative for both roads are Saddle Road and the Paiatua Track instead of taking the Te Ahu a Turanga.
State Highway 1 and State Highway 57 are the current alternatives for the Ō2NL.
The consultation period ends on 7 October.