The government will spend more than half a billion dollars buying up properties so it can push ahead with its Roads of National Significance.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop at the weekly post-Cabinet briefing confirmed all the roading projects had all been signed off by the NZ Transport Agency.
He said $1.2 billion worth of funding had also been allocated to get the projects to the next stage of development.
He said more than $515 million is expected to be spent on acquiring local properties to allow the construction.
The NZTA board has approved a total $675m for consenting, design, route protection, site investigations and early works.
The business cases were being published on NZTA's website.
Most of the latest business cases suggested a higher cost benefit ratio if the roads remain untolled.
- Hamilton Southern Links: expected travel times reductions of 14 mins between Tamahere and western Hamilton. By 2055, it will also support access to 17,300 new houses and 7,100 new jobs. The BCR is 1.9 untolled, 1.6 tolled, and 2.3 with WEBs included.
- Petone to Grenada and Cross Valley Link: Travel time savings at peak of up to 23 mins between Lower Hutt and Porirua, also supports planned housing growth of more than 30,000 houses in Tawa, Porirua, and Hutt City. The BCR is 1.7 tolled/untolled, and 2.7 including WEBs. CVL has an incremental BCR of 2.0 assuming P2G is built first
- SH1 Wellington Improvements: Future travel times from the Wellington region to the central city, hospital, and airport reducing by up to 10 mins at peak times, travel time variability reducing by up to 40 percent, a 20 percent reduction in peak traffic on the Harbour Quays enabling increased use of buses, and an estimated 200 additional walking and cycling trips per day through the second Mt Victoria Tunnel. If tolled, the BCR is 1.0 including WEBs, and untolled the BCR is 1.2. NZTA to seek statutory approvals for the full project via the FTAA as a listed project, with necessary documentation to be submitted by July 2026.
- Hope Bypass: Delivering the first two stages has strong benefits, with a reduction in peak travel times through Richmond by up to 16 mins, support for 11,000 new homes and a reduction of up to two injury crashes per year. The project will also retain cycleway routes and connections. If tolled, the BCR is 1.1, untolled it is 1.7.
The government's documentation said it would consider any NZTA recommendations for tolling as part of the investment case, and announce next steps in due course.
Construction of other Roads of National Significance was already underway, including Phase 1 of SH29 Tauriko West; and Otaki to north of Levin.
The Hawke's Bay Expressway was expected to begin construction in November.
A preferred bidder for Warkworth to Te Hana was expected to be confirmed early next year, with a contract awarded by mid-2026.
Consents had been granted for Cambridge to Piarere, Takitimu North Link Stage 2.
Mill Road Stage 1 and Belfast to Pegasus and Woodend Bypass were working through fast-track approval applications.
The SH16 alternative was working through designation and strategic land acquisition.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaking at post-cab Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
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