The Government has announced details of a programme of land transport spending costing almost $14 billion, with big increases for cycling and public transport.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges said the spending programme was the largest in New Zealand's history (file). Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
The National Land Transport Programme sets out main transport projects and priorities for the next three years to 2018.
The spending is funded in part by local authorities and in part by national funding.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges said, at $13.9 billion, the programme was the largest in New Zealand's history and would increase spending by 15 percent.
The New Zealand Transport Agency said the priorities were economic growth and productivity, improving safety, and making all parts of the system work together.
The programme includes $5.5 billion of road improvements, but also lifts public transport spending by 21 percent to close to $2 billion, and triples cycling project spending to $250 million.
About a third of the spending will be in Auckland and, in total, 42 percent will be outside the metropolitan areas of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown (left) and Mr Bridges at an earlier announcement, of extra funding for one of the city's cycleways. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall
About a third of the $13.9 billion in scheduled spending over the next three years will be in Auckland. Photo: 123rf