More money will be going into transport projects over the next three years, with the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) boosted by Crown funding and a $2 billion loan.
The National Land Transport Fund includes money for transport projects, public transport and road maintenance. File photo Photo: 123RF
Money allocated through the programme is decided by Waka Kotahi, but guided through a Government Policy Statement which sets expectations, including minimum spend on certain activities.
It is partly funded through the National Land Transport Fund, which collects fuel taxes and road user charges. The total from the fund was $15.6bn, including the $2bn loan.
The programme also received $3.8bn through the government and its workstreams including the NZ Upgrade Programme and $4.8bn from local councils.
The total $24.3bn is a 44 percent increase on the funding available during the 2018-2021 period.
The majority of projects funded under the latest NLTP were programmes of work already under way.
Nearly $6bn would go toward public transport, walking and cycling as well as $1.3bn to implement the NZ Rail Plan and $30m to support coastal shipping.
Some $2.9bn would go toward the Transport Agency's Road to Zero road safety plan.
"This will include making 17 high risk state highway corridors safer, with 51 intersection improvements, 25 new roundabouts, and 164kms of safety barriers," Transport Minister Michael Wood said.
"Almost $7b will be invested in local road and state highway maintenance, which will see around 7000 lane kilometres of state highway and 18,000 lane kilometres of local roads renewed. The previous government flatlined road maintenance spending, so since coming into government, we have boosted it by nearly 50 percent to help bring our roads back up to scratch."
He said roads were increasingly being impacted by the effects of climate change, so the programme would also focus on resilience projects.
"On top of our road maintenance investments, a further $3.9 billion will be spent on road improvements that will help connect communities, ensure the reliable movement of freight and improve resilience across the country. This will see important projects like Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway and the Waikato Expressway completed."
By region:
- Northland - $751m
- Auckland - $7.3b
- Waikato - $1.5b
- Bay of Plenty - $1.4b
- Gisborne - $209m
- Taranaki - $447
- Manawatū/Whanganui - $1.3b
- Wellington - $3.1b
- Top of the South: Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough - $289m
- West Coast - $178m
- Canterbury - $1.2b
- Otago/Southland - $1.1b