NZ Road Development [Archive]

KIWIKAAS

April 25th, 2005, 06:27 PM

I have been doodling a bit with ideas on beter ways to mark NZ highways.
Before any of you start; not to scale and yes I have too much free time at the moment ;-)
First up.
Replacing the white centre line with a yellow one as is the case in many countries on the open road to clarify and emphasise.

I have also done a revised intersection doing away with the white diagonals and making a clear turning lane.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/pb0bb6ce75ea458efc32e39e1a7076831/f4588458.jpg

Second.
Creating a 1-1½ metre wide painted median on all undivided 4 lane sections of road. This due to traffic pulling out from the left into the right hand lane.

The other is a standard intersection with no turning lane. At present these are only marked with a brief solid white line. I propose making a double yellow line to emphasise that you DO NOT pass on this stretch.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/p8dd40ab7faf3cf7da26ec46b857e7866/f4588015.jpg.orig.jpg

Next up
Highway with median for turning traffic. The broken yellow line say you can enter and the white diagonal (instead of yellow) confirms this. The solid yellow shows the limit.

NZ motorway exits are designed to be missed. This exit includes a extra line on the left proceding the exit to make clear that the exit is near. Any of you who drive regularly on motorways know that when behind a truck or bus the visability ahead is minimal. This gives a clear signal to prepare to exit.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/pd3c958a34c0b44378ba0510b39f89929/f4586fc4.jpg

NZer

April 26th, 2005, 01:38 AM

Good ideas KIWIKAAS,I have noticed a lot of intersections around the country which could be made a lot safer by making those kind of alterations,without having to do any major upgrade,in some cases just widening the road slightly around intersections perhaps,so that modified markings and signals such as the ones you have drawn could be put in.

I wonder how much of a problem Transit New Zealand have with farmers not wanting to give them the land they need when they are building intersections on rural sections of highway?
I know that one of the new passing lanes just south of Waipu on SH1 between Whangarei and Auckland was meant to have a northbound and southbound passing lane on the same section of straight road,where there are a number of accidents,but the farmer would not sell/give the edge of his paddock to them,and so it ended up only having a southbound passing lane.This is better than nothing,but I don't think that Transit NZ should be played with by some guy like that.

aucklandman

April 26th, 2005, 01:44 AM

Yea and also at the end of passing lanes there should be a yellow median type marking to signal the end of in a much better way than a sign.

NZer

April 26th, 2005, 03:31 AM

Have you ever noticed how inconsistent the "Road Narrows 200m/100m signs are ?

I swear some of the ones that say 200m are actually only 50-75m !!!

atkinson1

April 26th, 2005, 06:58 AM

Have you ever noticed how inconsistent the "Road Narrows 200m/100m signs are ?

I swear some of the ones that say 200m are actually only 50-75m !!!

Funny to hear you say that. I was driving to Whangaparoa last night and there was a sign that said "Silverdale Exit: 1km" and right next to it there was another sign that said "Motorway Ends: 400m" LOL.

NZer

April 26th, 2005, 08:38 AM

I know the spot you mean,as soon as you go past that sign the road surface goes back to that rough chip shit.

KIWIKAAS

April 26th, 2005, 11:32 AM

Yea and also at the end of passing lanes there should be a yellow median type marking to signal the end of in a much better way than a sign.
Like this?
It reverses the merge meaning overtaking traffic must merge back with the left lane (this is how it already is in many countries). It takes about 100-150 metres off the passing lane but it is very clear.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/pd3ac145632850373808423e752abd9c8/f455b1db.jpg

sam_L

April 27th, 2005, 03:36 AM

That's probably exactly the reason our passing lanes don't end like that - because it takes up alot of space. Passing lanes are generally in hilly areas where the road is often quite twisty and the road can only be widened for a short distance. So they needed to squeeze as much passing lane in as possible.

Your solution looks pretty good there, kiwikaas. I've seen enough near (and possibly fatal) accidents at the end of passing lanes where an overconfident driver thinks they can just pass this last car and find themselves on the wrong side of the road. But i can't help but think that alot of these people would ignore the yellow lines and drive right over them.

KingKong1

June 1st, 2005, 03:47 AM

Does anyone know were this new proposed route is?? could it really provide the same benefits as transmission gully at a fifth of the cost??

$180m link road death knell for Transmission Gully
01 June 2005
By OSKAR ALLEY

A $180 million road linking Grenada Village and Petone has emerged as a clear favourite to ease Wellington's road congestion - and is expected to kill off Transmission Gully.

The proposed four-lane route is expected to slash 25 per cent off traffic volumes on Ngauranga Gorge and improve access to Wellington City - providing the same benefit at the gorge as the $1 billion Transmission Gully proposal for a fifth of the cost.

Widespread support for the Petone-Grenada Village link comes as the region's mayors and transport officials face a crucial month to sort out constant congestion problems. By the end of this month a committee considering five options must decide on a course of action and hammer out a consensus.

The decision will shape the next decade of road improvements, after years of dispute.

And support for the $180 million Petone-Grenada Village road is likely to be the final nail in the Transmission Gully coffin. At $1 billion and taking a minimum of nine years to build, the inland motorway is considered by many to be too expensive and ambitious.

The Government has pledged an extra $225 million over 10 years, bringing total transport money available in the region to almost $850 million over the next decade.

The 24-member Greater Wellington regional land transport committee, comprised of mayors, regional councillors and transport officials, is reviewing five scenarios ranging from $410 million to $2 billion. The most expensive option is the only one that includes Transmission Gully.

The Petone-Grenada Village link is included in four of the five scenarios. About 44,000 vehicles use Ngauranga Gorge each day, Transit figures show.

The road would link Grenada Village's northern landfill area with State Highway 2's Petone interchange, providing direct access to and from Hutt Valley from Grenada Village north, without using Ngauranga Gorge.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast says this route is the most cost-effective solution. "If you've got limited money and (know) where the congestion will be worst for the next 20 years you'd put the money into the gorge.

"It really is a no-brainer - you'd remove a quarter of all traffic on Ngauranga Gorge, make it easier to get into the city and to the Hutt Valley, all for one-fifth of Transmission Gully."

Ms Prendergast is backed by a study which shows that in 2016 the only roads in the Wellington region that will not be able to cope with morning peak traffic are those near the gorge. In 11 years the Newlands on-ramp and the Hutt Rd merger with State Highway 2 will be above capacity, the study shows.

The Petone-Grenada link has support from most mayors.

Lower Hutt Mayor David Ogden said the proposal was "well favoured" and would improve access to Hutt Valley. "It would take a lot of pressure off Ngauranga Gorge. It's got a lot of good things going for it."

Kapiti Mayor Alan Milne said his council fully supported the proposal. "It still has to be designed, the land has to be purchased and consents obtained, but we support it because it's in the regional and national interest."

However, Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash - a strong Transmission Gully supporter - questioned the Petone-Grenada Village link's effectiveness. The gully would be a better-quality road, while the link road had serious safety issues, she said. "The exit on to the Hutt Road before Petone could be murderous coming off a very steep hill and on to a very busy motorway."

Stuff.co.nz.

flyin_higher

June 1st, 2005, 07:27 AM

It sounds like a much more sensible proposal personally

KIWIKAAS

June 1st, 2005, 09:59 AM

I dont understand how this proposal could be seen as an alternative for Transmission Gully. This new proposal is a link from Petone to Johnsonville. Tramsmission Gully is a link from Porirua to Paraparaumu bypassing the coastal road.
The two seem totally seperate projects.

KIWIKAAS

August 16th, 2005, 04:44 PM

Upgraded intersection in Yaldhurst, Christchurch. SH1 / SH73

Notice the new markings. The double white stop lines at the traffic lights and give-way are now single lines. The wording ''Give Way'' on the road is replaced with the international triangle symbol on the roadway.

http://www.transit.govt.nz/shmd_projects/content_files/Project165_ImageFile1.jpg

flyin_higher

August 17th, 2005, 03:12 AM

Ah look you can even see the cycle lanes..must be Christchurch!

KIWIKAAS

August 17th, 2005, 09:37 AM

^
Although they cant seem to figure out where its supposed to be in the bottom right. Or is that an alternative for all terrain bikes over the traffic island? (bloody amatures)

flyin_higher

August 17th, 2005, 01:50 PM

lol, all terrain indeed. Silly roading engineers.

KIWIKAAS

October 19th, 2005, 12:40 PM

Speed limit on rural roads to be lowered

16.10.05
By Kirsty Wynn and David Fisher

The 100km/h speed limit on some rural roads will be lowered in an effort to reduce New Zealand's road toll.

Land Transport New Zealand has been working with local government on plans to drop the limit from 100km/h to 90km/h on some of the more dangerous stretches.

Plans to increase the speed limit to 110km/h on wider, longer roads were shelved when Transit engineers found none of New Zealand's roads were suitable.

The new approach to speed will kick off in Wellington by the end of this year and if successful will spread to 40 other danger spots throughout the country.

"They will be roads where there is a particular risk," Janice Rodenberg of LTNZ said. "It's not a blanket limit but it will start off as one or two and then go to maybe 30 or 40 sites around the country."

The trial roads will be monitored by LTNZ and local councils to see if the lower speed limit is effective.

Road surface, gradient, curvature, width and traffic are calculated when deciding which speed suits a road.

Guidelines are in place so drivers have plenty of notice of lower speed limits.

"We want to make sure people aren't confused by the change in limits," Ms Rodenberg said. "If it drops to 90km/h it has to stay there for 10km."

Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said if the approach were successful it would correct the current situation where the 100km/h speed limit for a four-lane divided motorway applied to a undivided rural road.

"Setting appropriate speed limits for the road will assist motorists who drive too fast for the conditions but are still under the legal speed limit."

Acting national road policing manager John Kelly said police were happy to see the limit reduced on some of the more dangerous rural roads.

He said the new approach to speed might also see the limit rise from 50km/h to 60km/h on some roads, if the conditions were appropriate.

"If a road feels like you could drive 100km/h on it but there is a hidden danger, then we have to set a lower speed limit so people will slow down."

Mr Kelly said police did not expect to issue more tickets because of the speed limit reduction.

Plenty of notice of the speed change would be given and because of the nature of the roads concerned, drivers would naturally reduce speed anyway.

"We are not interested in revenue at all and in fact the number of tickets issued around New Zealand is steadily declining. If the speed limit is more appropriate to the road then there should actually be less tickets."

LTNZ said the reason for the change was to save lives.

"Everything we do is to save lives and decrease the number of serious accidents on our roads. Speed is one of the biggest killers and we are addressing that."

mtb_nz

October 19th, 2005, 01:04 PM

oh wel if they are going to say "Everything we do is to save lives and decrease the number of serious accidents on our roads. Speed is one of the biggest killers and we are addressing that."

then why not make a speed limit of 40kmph on all roads??

spotila

October 19th, 2005, 01:14 PM

Yes...back on the subject, lol

About Road Projects, now i'm not one to agree with massive road building, but certain projects are necesary in this present 'Car is King' environment.

From the provinces>>>
In Napier, they are about to begin construction early this year on a grade-separated interchange on the Napier-Hastings Expressway, where it crosses a very busy road (intersection currently controlled by traffic lights), and many crashes and deaths have occurred in the past. Projected completion is late 2006. And yes, they are even putting cycle lanes on the road that passes beneath the overbridge.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid155/p2acbc08cf217e70254dc3a9c38f8bce9/f5566c14.jpg

maybe it's just me, but I live just down the road from this and so far I've noticed absolutley no change in this intersection. What's the deal?!

flyin_higher

October 19th, 2005, 01:23 PM

They are still waiting on funding from Land Transport NZ, pending a review of the project (ie; is it sustainable?). Likely to start early next year.

spotila

October 19th, 2005, 11:30 PM

thank you pal~

mtb_nz

October 20th, 2005, 01:16 AM

Here is a pic of the proposed Transmission Gully Motorway (20km north of Wellington)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/roading/transmission.jpg

Estimated Cost: $1.1 billion

Here in Wellington it has been front page news for months now... as they are fighting it out about having a coastal route or transmission gully route

flyin_higher

October 20th, 2005, 03:15 AM

I wish they would think outside the square a little and look at improving the rail capacity instead (a third option!), thereby removing alot of the commuters who currently clog the road, and free up the space for people who really need to use the road, ie; people coming in to the Wellington region from elsewhere. It would certianly be a more efficient use of the "taxpayers money" and be a better environmental outcome, considering the rising fuel costs.

KingKong1

October 24th, 2005, 02:20 AM

'Half-baked' new Gully plan shocks coast highway group
24 October 2005
By KAY BLUNDELL

Coastal highway supporters are shocked that a new proposal to build the northern section of Transmission Gully is being considered.

The constant cry during the process of studies, reports and consultations on proposals for the Western Corridor had been for a commitment to action, Coastal Highway Group convenor Sir Rod Weir said.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen signalled last week that a northern Transmission Gully route was "the most likely preferred" option, providing better congestion relief than even a full Transmission Gully route.

However, Sir Rod said introducing a new "half- baked idea" at this late stage would only mean starting those processes anew. "Raising another possibility could mean a further twenty years of Wellington bickering over what to do," he said.

The group believed building half of Transmission Gully would raise more problems than it would solve.

"Traffic to and from Wellington would presumably travel over Haywards Hill on State Highway 58. The Hutt Rd would then become an impossible bottle neck. "Northern traffic to and from Porirua would either use the existing coast road or wind around the inlet from Pauatahanui to Paremata with devastating implications for the health of the inlet and for Whitby residents."

Transmission Gully Action Group, representing 27 communities, community boards, councils and MP's from Porirua to Levin, wants the whole of the Transmission Gully motorway agreed to. "The northern section could be achieved with existing funding and the southern section could be met by the additional funding Peter Dunne had been promised," group chairman Adrian Webster said.

mtb_nz

October 24th, 2005, 10:32 AM

^^

Every day there is something about the transmission gully or coastal road proposals.... They are just arguing with each other on the different proposals... they reckon the coastal route will take 25 years to finish because of resource consents etc... What a crap idea then.
In 10 years time getting into and out of wellington will just be near impossible :cheers:

KIWIKAAS

November 5th, 2005, 10:40 AM

Mercer interchange construction.
Photo from August

http://waikato.transit.govt.nz/dbimages/image-1246.jpg

KIWIKAAS

November 5th, 2005, 10:42 AM

Main North Rd 4-laning (SH74 Christchurch) progress at the Styx bridge
http://www.transit.govt.nz/shmd_projects/content_files/Project145_ImageFile1.jpg

KIWIKAAS

November 5th, 2005, 12:47 PM

Wellington's Northern Motorway 1950's

http://www.petroltax.org.nz/images/WellingtonMotorway-1.jpg

flyin_higher

November 5th, 2005, 11:04 PM

^^
How we got in this mess in the first place! Little did they know.

property_boy

November 6th, 2005, 01:20 AM

well...what can you say, these councils in wellington should try and unite somehow and get on it with progressing a new route. for all the worth so much background work has been done on transmission gully and money invested already. it is a great idea and i'm sure much safer than the coastal option.
surely if it is too expensive at the moment the government can provision set amounts of money over the time it is built to cover the shortfall - realisticly i'm sure the construction won't start for another 2-3 years at the least.

http://transit.govt.nz/shmd_projects/index.jsp - this website is a good source of information for upcoming/proposed roading projects throughout new zealand.

flyin_higher

November 6th, 2005, 09:24 AM

I was more meaning that that motorway represents the first step in a long line of transport planning errors of the last 50 years, ie; the motorway shouldn't have been built!

mtb_nz

November 6th, 2005, 09:44 AM

well...what can you say, these councils in wellington should try and unite somehow and get on it with progressing a new route. for all the worth so much background work has been done on transmission gully and money invested already. it is a great idea and i'm sure much safer than the coastal option.
surely if it is too expensive at the moment the government can provision set amounts of money over the time it is built to cover the shortfall - realisticly i'm sure the construction won't start for another 2-3 years at the least.

The coastal option is meant to take about 25 years to complete, and the delays while it is being built will stuff things up even more than what there is now

KIWIKAAS

December 3rd, 2005, 11:21 AM

A building being removed (as opposed to demolished) to make way for the roadway

http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/projects/Project181_ImageFile1.jpg

mtb_nz

December 4th, 2005, 02:16 AM

^^

yeah they have moved several historical buildings in wellington for the new motorway bypass... I must go down there sometime and take a few pics :)

KIWIKAAS

February 23rd, 2006, 11:02 AM

Ministers turn on Transit over draft forecast

23.02.06 1.00pm

Government ministers facing fierce criticism over a cash crisis for roading have turned on highway agency Transit which yesterday said it would have to delay vital projects.

Transport Minister David Parker and Acting Finance Minister Trevor Mallard rejected Transit's 10-year programme and its forecast of a $685 million shortfall.

They vowed roads would be built as planned and the cash would be found to meet the cost.

"No options, including further borrowing, have been ruled out," Mr Mallard said.

Transit cited rising construction costs and diminishing revenue as the reason for the shortfall. It said numerous projects would have to be delayed, most of them in Auckland.

That cut across Labour's election campaign assurances that Auckland's gridlock would be fixed, and the ministers gave an assurance the work would go ahead.

"The Government will ensure that the largest road building programme in New Zealand's history proceeds," Mr Parker said.

"We are spending more than ever before and it is not acceptable that important projects are scheduled for deferment in the draft forecast."

Mr Mallard said there were concerns about Transit's planning processes, and whether they were leading to the best decisions.

National ridiculed the Government, saying it had totally failed to manage the country's infrastructure crisis.

Party leader Don Brash dumped the Transit report into a garbage can brought into Parliament's debating chamber.

"It's madness to slow road construction down as Transit has announced it will do because of a temporary slowdown in revenue due to current pressures on oil pressures," he said.

Transit said high petrol prices were causing motorists to use less, reducing the tax take it depends on for roading.

National's transport spokesman Maurice Williamson said New Zealanders were fed up with congestion and delays, and now the situation would become even worse.

"What we've got is a ghastly announcement that we are going to have projects further deferred," he said.

Mr Williamson told National Radio today that the Government collected $1200 million a year in petrol tax but only $600m went to the road fund while the rest went into the Government's coffers.

"This idea that there's a shortfall in revenue is just a nonsense," he said.

Roading bodies had been telling the Government to put all of what it took in petrol tax towards roading.

"Just commit the petrol tax and this issue will be dealt with," Mr Williamson said.

Mr Parker said on National Radio the proportion of road excise duty going into the Land Transport Fund was increasing.

Neither Labour or National had promised to put 100 per cent of petrol tax collected into the fund.

However, in the next year around 70 per cent of petrol tax collected would go to the roading fund.

The finance minister had said the funding shortfall would be made up so that Transit could stick to its old plan of roading projects.

Mr Parker said there would be a "jiggling" of priorities within the total amount of money being spent "but yes, the total amount of money that is spent will return to where it was before this latest announcement."

- NZPA

KIWIKAAS

February 23rd, 2006, 11:07 AM

Highways hit $1 billion roadblock

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/kopu.jpg
23.02.06
By Mathew Dearnaley

New Zealand roads are facing a more than $1 billion funding squeeze over 10 years, forcing wholesale project delays from Cape Reinga to Southland.

Government agency Land Transport New Zealand disclosed last night a shortfall of $400 million for roads it is expected to pay for in conjunction with local councils - on top of a $685 million deficit for fully-funded state highways.

But chief executive Wayne Donnelly emphasised the figures were subject to change within a $22 billion land transport funding forecast to 2016, his agency's largest ever.

And no sooner had Transit New Zealand issued a draft forecast at noon yesterday of $12.4 billion for state highway construction and maintenance, than Government ministers fired out media statements promising to shore up any gaps.

"The Government is not happy with the draft 10-year programme as released by Transit New Zealand today, and is working hard to ensure the state highway programme announced last August proceeds in full," said Acting Finance Minister Trevor Mallard.

National Party leader Don Brash called on the Government to borrow its way out of an "infrastructure crisis" given that roads would serve communities for generations to come.

Automobile Association spokesman Mike Noon said delaying projects was false economy, as costs would simply keep rising in the meantime.

Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld said his agency's spending forecast was still 9 per cent higher than one issued in August, but a reduction in expected revenue combined with higher roading costs had forced it to defer projects.

"Many projects have been deferred on average by two to three years from Northland to Southland.

"Howls of anguish will be distributed fairly evenly across the country, because this is not an impact for which one particular location has been singled out."

As well as facing a potential $685 million shortfall from Land Transport NZ, his agency has to contend with cost increases of $150 million to $300 million, including materials and labour.

Transport Minister David Parker has set up an advisory group to consider how to shrink costs, and Finance Minister Michael Cullen has instructed officials to find ways of closing the funding gap, including issuing infrastructure bonds.

Auckland is seen elsewhere as receiving favoured treatment, given a reaffirmed Transit commitment yesterday to complete the region's 35km western ring route from Manukau to Albany by 2015 as its top priority.

Hamilton City Council transport committee chairman Dave Macpherson, whose organisation is considering suing Transit over a two-year delay to a key bypass, said the rest of New Zealand was being treated like poor cousins of Auckland.

But Mr van Barneveld emphasised that completing the ring route was dependent on a willingness of Aucklanders to accept tolls on the route, to make up an $860 million funding gap in their region.

He also dropped a bombshell on contractors waiting for their tenders to be assessed for a $210 million motorway link at the Manukau end of the route, by saying a construction start would be delayed until the next financial year unless more money became available.

Mr van Barneveld said the project was a high priority for reinstatement in this year's programme should more funds be indicated.

In the Waikato, Transit has indicated delays of two years to bypasses around Avalon Drive in Hamilton, Maramarua on the crash-alley of State Highway 2, and Cambridge.

A bypass from Horotiu to Te Rapa north of Hamilton has been delayed by three years, as has a replacement Kopu Bridge - scene of hair-tearing holiday-weekend bottlenecks at the gateway to the Coromandel.

Bypasses of Rangiriri and of Taupo have been delayed indefinitely.The final forecast is due to be confirmed in July, after public hearings in 16 cities and towns.

Although the Government promised in an agreement with New Zealand First to fully-fund a second Tauranga harbour bridge for $240 million, instead of part-financing it with tolls, that project has also been delayed until next year.

aucklandman

February 23rd, 2006, 08:05 PM

its so annoying, but at least they are dedicated to the western ring

KIWIKAAS

February 23rd, 2006, 08:17 PM

^^
I just fear that NZ will get a kind of 3rd world situation where you have 1 or 2 cities with first class infrastructure while the rest of the country consists out of goat tracks.

OverseasKiwi

February 23rd, 2006, 09:44 PM

thats true but once the investments start generating revenue, ie tolls, increased business etc etc the money can be channeled back towards the other cities for their infrastructure projects at a faster rate. AUckland will wake a while to get its shite sorted out but once its complete, other infrastructure projects will be done at a much faster rate.

To be fair i'm not that interested about auckland roads, i really want to see the 2nd pier done at the airport! and i read today its taken a back seat as passenger numbers are lower than expected (or soemthing tothat effect) bugger :(

KingKong1

February 24th, 2006, 10:20 AM

^^
I just fear that NZ will get a kind of 3rd world situation where you have 1 or 2 cities with first class infrastructure while the rest of the country consists out of goat tracks.
that won't happen, both hamilton and tauranga have big projects in the pipeline, tauranga is way ahead in terms of getting stuff done though, they have a very sound motorway and ring road network there now and will look even better in the next couple of years, but yeah what you say is happening to hamilton they are getting neglected in comparasion to auckland its a disgace down here at the moment, there hasn't been a single roading project completed in years and the list is rather large now the govt definetly needs to borrow the $$$ and get this stuff done now before costs rise too high

Davee

February 24th, 2006, 07:47 PM

mtb_nz

February 25th, 2006, 04:48 AM

Why is Auckland getting most of the funding?? I would have thought they figured out that from years of neglecting in Auckland’s roads it has gone into the shit. But if they neglect the rest of the country, the country’s roads will be in the shit…. It will just happen all over again, but this time with the rest of the country :bash:

aucklandman

February 25th, 2006, 06:18 AM

thats not true lol, auckland just has a backlog of projects that need to be completed. Auckland for about 30 years has been left out with transport, now the whole country is getting work done on it. Auckland is just taking all the spotlight.

Wellington has some pretty high scale projects in line. Like the airport bypass thing, and transmission gully, all the paikakariki projects etc. Remember no where else comes close to the problems in auckland, thats y auckland needs the funding.

Why do we always complain?

mtb_nz

February 25th, 2006, 10:27 AM

Why do we always complain?

because places like wellington cant get any money for needed projects like transmission gully :cheers:

Cee_em_bee

February 25th, 2006, 10:48 AM

Transit really have to get there act together. Christchurch is now beginning to struggle with more cars and a rapidly expanding population (excpected to reach 500,000 by 2021).

Projects that desperately need attention:

Southern Motorway.
Western aterial from Belfast - Chch International - Hornby.
Northern Roading Option.

I know Auckland is the power house of the country, but Christchurch is the second industrial centre and the 'capital of the SI'.

Look at the mess the road from Chch through Kaikora is in. This is massive freight heading to you guys up north.

I think we should introduce large Christchurch to Wellington ferries again, both for passangers and freight.

Definately. Bloody hell! It's 1x1 with no proper exits and very dangerous to drive on. If there was too be work done on it, I hope it would include an overpass/interchange of Barrington Rd (Might be Clarence St.) because that intersection gets backed up pretty bad.

Though I believe it would be better for Christchurch too look into light rail than to pour money into it's road, perfect place for trams.

KIWIKAAS

February 25th, 2006, 10:53 AM

I agree that ChCh needs alot of work. The Southern Mwy isnt due to start work for another 6 years or so. The Russley rd 4-laning is a 20 year project!. The Northern corridor is no more than a study for the last 5 years.
The highways south to Rolleston and north to Amberley should be totally 4-laned.

KIWIKAAS

February 25th, 2006, 10:55 AM

.... I hope it would include an overpass/interchange of Barrington Rd (Might be Clarence St.) because that intersection gets backed up pretty bad.

An overpass of Barrington Rd is in the plan.

... perfect place for trams.

Absolutely.

Davee

February 25th, 2006, 11:18 AM

Spot on both of you. I'm going to look around Transit NZ site, haven't been there in ages, gets me to depressed with the long waiting times.

Trams - yes
Light rail - major yes.

What do you think of the Christchurch - Wellington ferry idea?? I know some big wig at Lincoln University is really pushing for it.

KIWIKAAS

February 25th, 2006, 11:39 AM

I like the idea but more for the novelty aspect.
The problem is that you could only have 1 sailing per day and that it would be simply faster to drive to Picton and take one of the 4/5 daily ferry crossings. For tourists traveling around NZ it is more desirable to arrive in the Marlborough Sounds in close proximity to Abel tasman NP than arriving in Lyttelton.

Davee

February 25th, 2006, 11:45 AM

See your points. I would invisage more than one ferry moving between the islands. I just thing the roading north of Chch is so bad, did you see the crash photo in Kaikora in The Press the other day. That is now becoming a regular occurance. NZ rail system is old, antiquated and under invested in, I just think helping move things on the sea - which we have plenty of - may be viable again.

KIWIKAAS

February 25th, 2006, 10:18 PM

Maybe with a supersized hydrofoil?
(this not being the definition of supersized)
http://www.boeing.com/history/boeing/images/hydrofoil.jpg

or catamaran?
(I've been on this one :) )
http://www.p-oostcards.nl/F-050.jpg

I just cant help but think that due to the relatively low traffic that a regular service (more than 1 per day) would be impossible. Even with this low frequency the amount of subsidy required ($10s - 100s of millions) would be no less expensive than just upgrading the road and rail links to Picton. Due to its proximity to the North Island, Picton can offer a far higher frequency of service making it on the whole the faster (and most cost effective) option.

Davee

February 27th, 2006, 05:29 PM

This is a bit of a paraphrase of what was reported in The Christchurch Star on the 27 Feb 2006.

:wallbash:

Pressure is being placed on the city's member os parliment to do something about Chc growing traffic congestion problems. Transit NZ has released its draft plan showing a predicted $685 million funding deficate. Thus they have proposed delaying major Christchurch roading projects.

:mad:

These include:

$97 million southern motorway extension (now planned for 2012-2013).
$87 million northern arterial system.
$15 million QE2 Drive foru-laning project.
$33 million western Belfast bypass.
$29 million worth of improvements to Memorial Ave (gateway to the city form the airport).
$11 million Sawyers Arms Rd foru laning project (planned now for 2015-2016).

:gaah:

These projects are urgent, as Christchurch is growing by 400 people a month. The mayor Gary Moore is putting pressure on Christchurch's 5 government ministers - Lianne Dalziel, Jim Anderton, Tim Barnett, Clayton Cosgrove and Ruth Dyson to push the city's cause. The mayor has said that the city will not contribute any more money to roading. It has already budgeted $160 million in addition to what Transit must do. 'We have put extra resources in and we expect Transit to match that' he said.

MP Tim Barnett said local MP's would be making sure Transport Minister David Parker was aware of the effects the possible project delays will have.

:mad2:

KingKong1

March 9th, 2006, 04:03 AM

Wellington motorway plan hailed as 'a brilliant result'

09.03.06

The Transmission Gully Motorway has been given the nod as a new inland route in and out of Wellington.

A subcommittee, set up by the Greater Wellington Regional Council opted for the gully route over an upgrade of the present coastal highway route.

The decision has been hailed by United Future leader and Ohariu-Belmont MP Peter Dunne as "a brilliant result" for the people of the lower North Island.

The subcommittee recommended a full four-lane Transmission Gully Motorway from Mackays Crossing in the north to Linden in the south.

It also recommended the deferral or deletion of a number of other proposed road changes in the region.

The subcommittee found that in the longer term the status of the current State Highway 1 alignment from Mackays Crossing to Linden should be reduced to meeting local traffic needs and providing a scenic route in which lower speeds and traffic volumes would prevail after the opening of the gully route.

Mr Dunne, who has campaigned for the gully route for the past 15 years, said the recommendation meant that the arguing about the route was over, and it was time for the work to begin immediately.

"I now expect the Government to honour the pledge it made in the confidence and supply agreement with United Future after the last election concerning the gully route."

Transit New Zealand's board will consider the subcommittee's report at its meeting next month.

Decisions on ways to proceed were unlikely before that meeting, Transit board chairman David Stubbs said last night.

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the report and has called for the region's decision-makers to unanimously get behind its recommendations.

"What we have at long last is an objective and representative study of what the region actually needs and wants, and more importantly, what is achievable in the way of a long-term and comprehensive transport solution," chamber president Simon Arnold said.

"The report has taken into account a plethora of information and views and has, in our opinion, produced a platform that Transit, the Government and the region's mayors must accept and proceed with in a unified manner.

"The processes that have been employed here and subsequent findings cannot be ignored by our elected leaders," Mr Arnold said.

About 6000 submissions were made on the proposed Western Corridor Plan.

KIWIKAAS

March 9th, 2006, 10:06 AM

^^
The best route by far. Now all they need is $800 million to build it.

KingKong1

March 10th, 2006, 12:21 AM

United Future leader Peter Dunne has called for Transit NZ to be taken out of the loop on construction of the Transmission Gully project, saying the project should be put out to tender.

Mr Dunne said that in light of Transit's preference for the Coastal Highway alternative, it is not clear that Transit has either "the will or the ability" to build the Transmission Gully motorway, as recommended by a Wellington Regional Council sub-committee yesterday.

"Now that the people have spoken overwhelmingly in favour of the Gully route, it's time to question whether Transit has any useful role to play in making progress on this very important project," he said.

"Throughout the lengthy debate over Transmission Gully, Transit has consistently tried to skew the argument in favour of the very much inferior plan to widen the coastal highway.

"Even today, it has admitted that it failed to get its sums right over the cost of the Gully route.

"Transit also has a sorry history of bringing in roading projects over time and over budget. One must question whether it has the ability or expertise to undertake a project of this size.

"Perhaps it would save time and money if the Gully project was advertised nationally and internationally, so that constructions firms with greater experience and a real commitment to the project could do the job properly," said Mr Dunne.

Meanwhile, the Greens have attacked the entire project, saying it will only increase reliance on fossil fuels by leading to heavier vehicle use.

Green MP Sue Kedgley called the project " a plan for the wrong century" and said it diverted too much capital into a single solution.

"It's incomprehensible that they would support a plan which diverts more than 90 percent of funding to roads and only a pitiful six percent to public transport. The strategies they are proposing - to build Transmission Gully etc - will make us more, not less, dependent on fossil fuels - with more car traffic and urban sprawl - and are completely unbalanced and unsustainable.

"Our rail corridor is desperately in need of investment. It's a tragedy that the hearing subcommittee's proposals will see our rail system continue to deteriorate," she said.

At least one group, Option3, echoed Ms Kedgley's statements, saying the Transmission Gully plan would result in "a massive traffic jam at Ngauranga" and claiming that the end result would be the death of the rail system.

But while most commenters endorsed the Transmission Gully project, the city council yesterday said it would have to carefully analyse the regional subcommittee recommendations before deciding what to do.

"It is an interesting report and the hearing sub-committee gave a strong and comprehensive presentation on its findings. Wellington City Council needs time to look at and consider the points that have been raised," said Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast yesterday.

Stopping short of accepting that the report had reached an acceptable conclusion, the mayor outline several areas of particular concern.

"First, the report rightly raises the issue of resilience and reliability. We now need to look at how these findings have been reached and on what information they were based.

"Secondly, the report raises the issue of the impact of the proposed Coastal route upgrade on the community and the coastal environment. Again we need to look at how the report came to those conclusions and how it justifies its findings as being consistent with international best practice.

"Thirdly, we need to understand the funding model that has been applied and the arguments put forward in changing New Zealand's current funding criteria.

"Finally, we need to understand the implications of using the $500 million of funding for Transmission Gully in years 11 to 20 and whether that means there will be no money left for other roading projects in the region," she said.

The report will be considered by the regional council's land transport committee on Monday.

KIWIKAAS

May 19th, 2006, 09:55 AM

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/gif/roadsgr2.gifhttp://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/gif/roadsgr1.gif

Budget 2006: Cash boost puts road projects into top gear

Friday May 19, 2006
By Mathew Dearnaley and Paula Oliver

Click here for graphic showing the roading projects.

Key roading projects in Auckland and elsewhere have received most of a $1.3 billion funding boost that wipes out a tax shortfall from shrinking petrol sales.

A separate announcement today will reveal funding for projects in Waikato worth an extra $200 million.

The Government has stolen the thunder from its opponents by promising to spend $13.4 billion over five years on land transport - a sum $300 million greater than all it will reap from fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen's Budget has answered the dreams of business and motoring groups such as the Automobile Association, which have long demanded all fuel taxes diverted to the Consolidated Fund be spent on roads and other land transport.

"The taxpayer no longer has a hand in the motorist's pocket," Dr Cullen said.

But Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee chairman Joel Cayford slated the document as "a smokestack Budget - all about world-class roads and third-rate public transport for Auckland".

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons rose in Parliament to call it a "mad petrol-headed, tarmac-focused" Budget designed for a flat Earth by ignoring likely limits to oil supplies and the effects of global climate change.

Dr Cullen agreed that the earth would be flattened - behind road-building bulldozers.

It was a reduced tax take from declining fuel sales - raising fears of a $685 million funding deficit - which prompted Transit NZ in February to announce delays of two to three years to many large roading projects.

The Government, which promised at the time to make up the shortfall, disclosed yesterday that the overall deficit in the National Land Transport Fund had swollen to $862 million.

Yesterday it pledged not only to plug that gap, mainly from the sale of Australian assets by Government electricity company Meridian, but also to add $425 million to accelerate key roading projects - after raising up to $1 billion from infrastructure bonds. These include:

* A duplicate Mangere bridge on Auckland's western ring route, now due to be "substantially" completed by 2011 for $205 million, in time to carry Rugby World Cup visitors from the airport.

* Widening State Highway 1 and adding traffic lights through a notorious bottleneck in Warkworth - the site last month of a angry meeting of residents calling for Transit to build more roads.

* Advance design work to make construction starts possible by 2011 for bypasses of Huntly, Cambridge and Rangiriri, which were previously off the forecasting radar.

* A possible 2011 construction start for a replacement Kopu bridge at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, which had previously been deferred until 2014.

* A $94 million eastern bypass of Taupo, previously kicked off the list but now expected to open by 2011, subject to joint district council funding.

A second Tauranga Harbour Bridge will also be build for $240 million by 2011 without a toll component which was abolished in a post-election agreement with New Zealand First.

Design work should be complete by then for a start on a $189 million motorway east of the city.

The Budget did not include a separate joint funding package to be announced today for extra Waikato roading projects, although an expected $200 million is unlikely to satisfy regional transport leaders.

Hamilton City transport chairman Dave Macpherson said at least $500 million more was needed for projects to keep traffic flowing through the region, linchpin of a "golden triangle" of economic activity between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard and airport company chief executive Don Huse were both thrilled a duplicate Mangere bridge would be in place by 2011 to join other components of the western ring route.

But Mr Hubbard said it still seemed some level of tolling would be needed to fill a funding gap to allow a 5km motorway extension of the route through Waterview to be built with appropriate mitigation such as cut-and-cover tunnels. He was also pleased about promised progress on a four-lane Waikato Expressway, given that Auckland and Hamilton were increasingly "joined at the hip" economically.

"And a bit of icing for Aucklanders has to be fixing up the Kopu bridge."

The Budget contained little or nothing to fix Auckland's public transport problems, although Dr Cullen said the Government would continue to work with the region on these.

"This will include how best to enable local authorities to meet their contributions to local land transport costs," he said.

"At the same time, it is likely that further investment into the rail system will be required to ensure the maintenance of a national network." Transport Minister Annette King said funding would work to a rolling five-year plan, reviewable every two years.

Previously, funding was only guaranteed in a one-year block, she said.

"We wanted to ensure that we stopped the stop-go approach to land transport planning in New Zealand. "It means that there can be some certainty around that planning."

Moveax

May 19th, 2006, 02:01 PM

Why is wellington just investigations? It seems thats all that happens here. People blab on and on for years, then due to stupid things we end up with half-assed pieces of junk.

eg: The inner city bypass was supposed to be cut and cover tunnel motorway (+ 2nd terrace and mt victoria tunnel), not a useless above ground road with traffic lights that no ones going to use because its not a better alternative to the waterfront. If you want traffic off the waterfront, the bypass has to be done right.

NZGSR

May 20th, 2006, 12:30 AM

Well atleast chch didnt get put in the cold again and the Government actually relised that other cities do have roading problems besides Auckland. Maybe they read that article awhile back about average speeds in rushour traffic when chch was only 2 minutes faster than auckland in rush hour lol. But anyways hows the other chch people feeling bout the southern motorway being our most important project. I actually feel it would be about fourth on my list at the moment. Heres my personal list of what I feel should happen.

1.Western bypass 4 laning thats from hornby through to belfast complete it.
2.Northern Motorway four laning continued through to Woodend.
3.I made this one up but think it would complete a great ring road if they continued the western bypass and headed south more and went throught halswell and up to the right of lincoln road joining up with brougham street. i will draw it soon and put it up if I confused anyone :D
4.Southern Motorway but push it right down to burnham.
5.QEll Drive continue four laning.

Davee

May 20th, 2006, 12:44 AM

Like your thinking NZGSR - but the southern motorway is key to the development of the southwest of the city. Once built it opens up that whole area to the potential 140,000 people that can be housed in that area.

I think the Western bypass from Hornby through to Belfast is vital - for goodness sake it goes right passed the airport!!!!!

Jean Luc

May 21st, 2006, 04:02 PM

^ :lol:, some Buddhist monks say drinking you're own urine means a longer life.
You're not taking the piss are you? :runaway:

Kane007

August 9th, 2006, 12:57 AM

Everyone is aware that the 12km stretch of freeway standard Waikato Expressway between Mercer and Long Swamp has been open for 2 weeks now.

NZ Herald 2006/09/08
http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/potholes_meremere.jpg (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10395289)

But shit, potholes in the left southbound lane just north of Mercer must be a delayed April Fools joke. Or is entering the Waikato like entering a 3rd world country?

dubious

August 9th, 2006, 01:06 AM

But shit, potholes in the left southbound lane just north of Mercer must be a delayed April Fools joke. Or is entering the Waikato like entering a 3rd world country?

Waikato is the joke.

flyin_higher

August 9th, 2006, 02:43 AM

Oh dear Waikato :crazy:

KingKong1

August 9th, 2006, 04:05 AM

Waikato sucks. I hate living here. It's so run down compared to the rest of the upper North Island, especially the roads can't wait to finish uni and go back to BOP

Kane007

August 9th, 2006, 05:29 AM

But its a great place for cycling...

... miles and miles of flat featureless cattle farms.

Kane007

August 9th, 2006, 05:33 AM

Waikato sucks. I hate living here. It's so run down compared to the rest of the upper North Island, especially the roads can't wait to finish uni and go back to BOP

I thought the whole premise behind transit building the Waikato Expressway, was to provide a means of getting people and goods through the Waikato as quickly as possible.

aucklandman

August 9th, 2006, 07:03 AM

I thought the whole premise behind transit building the Waikato Expressway, was to provide a means of getting people and goods through the Waikato as quickly as possible.

getting them out of Waikato as quickly as possible so they dont get ambushed

Davee

August 9th, 2006, 01:12 PM

getting them out of Waikato as quickly as possible so they dont get ambushed

Is the Waikato really that bad? Sound a bit like Frightsville where everyone is wanting to :runaway: lol

I haven't been to Hamilton in ages, what's it really like now?

Dion

August 9th, 2006, 03:08 PM

Boring! (Sorry but it must be said) Thats all my friend who lives down there ever talks about lol. Went there myself back in May and he was right!

dubious

August 10th, 2006, 12:03 AM

^^ Yes it is very boring. I went down there a month or so ago on a Friday night, intending to experience Hamilton nightlife and stay overnight. Was so depressing I ended up driving back at 2am in thick fog just to get out of the place :)

Davee

August 10th, 2006, 12:27 AM

Depressing :scouserd: :sleepy:

NZGSR

August 10th, 2006, 04:26 AM

Dion

August 10th, 2006, 09:50 AM

Kane007

October 2nd, 2006, 03:01 AM

I don't think anyone else has posted these maps of the Waikato Expressway before, but I just wanted to use this site to have ONE continuous map.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/00112kmMercertoLongswamp74.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/00210kmLongSwamptoRangiriri27-33m20.gif
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/00310kmRangiriritoSouthofOhinewaiiC.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/00415kmHuntlyBypassSouthofOhinewait.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/00512kmNgaruawahiaBypassTaupiritoHo.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/00625kmHamiltonBypass110-130m2010.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/00711kmCambridgeBypass30-39m2012-20.gif

SYDNEY

October 2nd, 2006, 03:16 AM

^^^ The best thing about the new route is that it by-passes HUNTLY - YAY !

Kane007

October 2nd, 2006, 03:30 AM

What is it about Huntly, that you and I just don't like. I mean there HAS TOO be worste shitholes on the planet, somewhere? Surely Bahgdad is worse.

Like you, I just can't think of any!:dunno:

NZer

October 2nd, 2006, 11:12 AM

Huntly is a town only a mother could love.

Ngaruawahia is not that bad though.

KIWIKAAS

October 2nd, 2006, 11:25 AM

Yes. I like the way they have given Huntly a wide birth sparing motorists the sight. Who knows, maybe one day we will forget that Huntly ever existed?

flyin_higher

October 2nd, 2006, 11:33 AM

^^Well when the coal runs out and Huntly Power station closes, it really won't exist lol.

Kane007

October 2nd, 2006, 10:14 PM

Na, they'll probably just ship it up to from Westport/Greymouth/Hokitika. So as long as there remains the black smelly stuff waiting to be belched out into the environment, then Huntly will continue the blot it is!

NZer

October 3rd, 2006, 04:20 AM

Yes. I like the way they have given Huntly a wide birth sparing motorists the sight. Who knows, maybe one day we will forget that Huntly ever existed?

I'm not so sure about that,an experience as traumatic as Huntly burns itself into your memory.
Kind of like the first time the dentist pulls one of your teeth out.

lol

Kane007

November 9th, 2006, 10:42 PM

They (Transit NZ and their contractors) finally started working on that death trap that is the Mangatawhiri stretch of SH2 leading onto the Hauraki Planes.

Remember this is just an INTERIM solution and the complete fix/rebuild is still many years away - The Maramarua Deviation (http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/view_project.jsp?content_type=project&=edit&primary_key=154&action=edit) - $100m sometime after 2015.

Transits news page 2006/11/07 (http://www.transit.govt.nz/news/MediaReleaseView.do?MediaReleaseId=nz.govt.transit.transweb.content.news.MediaRelease-10815)

Sod turning marks construction start on SH2 Mangatawhiri Deviation

The start of construction of the SH2 Mangatawhiri Deviation project was celebrated today (Tuesday 7 November) with the turning of the first sod by Minister of Transport, Hon. Annette King.

Joining the Minister at the ceremony were Franklin District council Mayor Mark Ball and Transit New Zealand chief executive Rick van Barneveld. Also present were Waikato District Council Mayor Peter Harris, representatives of local Iwi who blessed the project and members of the local community.

Transit regional manager Chris Allen says the event marks the start of a significant project for the region.

"Transit is committed to improving the safety of State Highway 2. When it’s complete the new alignment will provide an improved section of state highway, with fewer intersections. Travel will be safer and more efficient not only for users of the new state highway but also for the local community".

The seven-kilometre project will improve safety by bypassing a section of highway that has a poor crash record. It will provide a two-lane undivided highway stretching from the Mangatawhiri Bridge to the Maramarua Golf Course, bypassing the Mangatawhiri village.

Contractors Multiplex Engineering (NZ) Ltd will commence construction of the project this month. Earthmoving work to clear the way for the new alignment will begin away from the existing state highway near Koheroa Road.

The project is expected to take about three years to complete.

dubious

November 10th, 2006, 02:21 AM

Sod turning marks construction start on SH2 Mangatawhiri Deviation

The start of construction of the SH2 Mangatawhiri Deviation project was celebrated today (Tuesday 7 November) with the turning of the first sod by Minister of Transport, Hon. Annette King.

What's a sod?

Kane007

November 10th, 2006, 02:56 AM

What's a sod?

You may choose;
# Sod, another word for turf
# Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme.
# Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D.), a heavy metal/crossover music act.
# SOD is a commonly used acronym for the magazine Soap Opera Digest.
# In business, SOD is used as "Statement of Direction".
# Sudden Oak Death
# "Sprints On Dirt"
# Standing Order for Data
# Storage On Demand
# The word "sod" in British English is a mildly offensive term for a person.

Kane007

December 19th, 2006, 03:23 AM

Construction to start this week on Bell Block bypass

The start of construction this week on the Bell Block bypass is a significant milestone for New Plymouth, Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven said today.

Mr Duynhoven will turn the first sod at the Bell Block site tomorrow.

“I have shared our community's passion and drive to bring this project to fruition.

"This Labour-led Government recognised how incredibly important this project is to our local community and in its 2006 Budget committed an unprecedented $13.4 billion – including $1.3 billion in new money – over the next five years to guarantee and accelerate New Zealand's largest ever road-building programme. The increased funding meant that projects facing deferral, including Bell Block, were given the green light," Mr Duynhoven said.

Funding was approved for the $13.3 million project in September and construction begins this week in time to take advantage of the summer construction season.

“There has been strong growth in the Bell Block area and that is forecast to continue, particularly in the industrial area. The changes will make this road safer and enable vehicles to travel at 100kph/h uninterrupted, immediately after the 50kph zone on the northern outskirts of the city.

“This project will have a huge impact on local road users in the greater New Plymouth area and has national significance in terms of the gains to be made by freight vehicles travelling north from New Plymouth.

"The project was listed as Transit’s top priority in Taranaki this year and was one of three nationwide that dominated submissions for this year’s State Highway Forecast consultation.

"We are working with the New Plymouth District Council to integrate the local roading network with the upgraded section of highway. The aim is to manage safety issues for access roads in the rapidly developing residential and industrial areas beyond Bell Block, " said Mr Duynhoven today.

The project will see the construction of a bypass to the south of Bell Block township, east of New Plymouth, and the four-laning of SH3 from the base of Mangaone Hill through to Henwood Road.

Other projects planned for design and construction in the region over the next three years include:

Whareroa Road Passing Lane, Tangahoe Bridge Widening and the Muggridge South Realignment projects, all on SH3 south of Hawera;

Waitotara North Curve Improvements on SH3 south of Waverly; and

Safety improvements at the SH3 Mangorei Road intersection in New Plymouth.

Transit will also work alongside the Council with the investigation of the coastal cycleway between Bell Block and Fitzroy.

Click here (http://www.beehive.govt.nz/Print/PrintDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28141) for a printer friendly version of this document

Kane007

December 20th, 2006, 10:47 PM

Opening ceremony celebrates finish of SH1 Hihitahi Bluffs Realignment

Transit New Zealand celebrated early completion of the SH1 Hihitahi Bluffs realignment near Taihape, a $20 million project that significantly improves road safety in the area.

“This is the most well-used route through the central North Island and the greatest advantage of this three-and-a-half kilometre realignment is increased safety,” says Transit Wanganui regional manager Errol Christiansen.

This will benefit travel for the 5,000 drivers who use this route daily, especially as the holiday season is almost upon us.

“The opening out of this previously notoriously winding section of highway also brings it out of the shade, greatly reducing the tendency of the road to ice up in cold conditions. This is a welcome reduction to a significant hazard,” he says.

The first bridge of the project to be completed, the Hautapu Bridge, has been in use since February. The second, the Turangaarere Bridge, was finished in March.

“Excellent management by the contractors has kept the impact on the surrounding environment to a minimum, protecting the pristine water of the nearby Hautapu River from contamination. They’re also to be congratulated in overcoming tough winter conditions to complete the project ahead of schedule,” Mr Christiansen says.

Wanganui based list Member of Parliament Jill Pettis, representing the Minister of Transport Hon Annette King, Transit Board member Grahame Hall, community and government representatives, local residents, iwi Ngati Rangi and Ngati Tamawhiti and contractors joined Transit for a tree planting and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Hihitahi Bridge site on 8 December.

Kane007

December 20th, 2006, 10:49 PM

Opening ceremony marks completion of Palmerston North’s SH57 Tennent Drive

A $4.3M project to improve safety on SH57, on a two-kilometre stretch of highway near Palmerston North, has been completed by Transit this month.

On hand to celebrate at the official opening ceremony were Palmerston North MP, Hon Steve Maharey, and a number of community representatives.

The project involved realigning Tennent Drive, raising and straightening Old West Road, and constructing a new intersection to replace the junction of Tennent Drive, Old West Road and Kahuterewa Road.

Transit regional manager Errol Christiansen and general manager Capital Projects Colin Crampton conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.

Mr Christiansen said: “Thanks to the mighty efforts of the construction team, the project has been completed on time and without undue disruption to traffic.

“Cyclists, runners and pedestrians will now be able to make safer use of the new 10 metre wide road which is two metres wider than previously.”

A new T-intersection replaces the previous three intersections, and rectifies what was previously a confusing layout. The realignment is in line with the latest standards for state highway intersections and motorists will find it much easier to navigate.

Errol added: “We look forward to a significant reduction in crashes compared to the 30 crashes on the route in the last six years, two of them serious.”

Errol also added that Transit appreciated the cooperation and assistance of local residents and landowners, Horizons Regional Council, and in particular Palmerston North City Council and the Fitzherbert Community Board in completing the project.

Kane007

December 20th, 2006, 10:51 PM

SH2 Waiohine bridge opening

The Waiohine Bridge on State Highway 2 has been completed one month ahead of schedule, with Minister of Transport Safety, Hon Harry Duynhoven officiating the opening ceremony on 27 November.

The Waiohine Bridge carries on average 8,000 vehicles a day, of which around 1,000 are heavy commercial vehicles. It was replaced and made wider and longer, greatly improving safety for motorists travelling on it.

Transit New Zealand regional projects manager Peter Martineau said that it was pleasing to see a project that is so important for the Wairarapa region completed:

“This is an important safety project for the region as the old bridge was very uncomfortable for motorists passing each other, particularly large vehicles.

“The old bridge, and surrounding apple-barrel floodway, were also susceptible to flooding and river scour which threatened the reliability of the state highway. The new bridge has increased water capacity which should reduce these risks.

“Special thanks go to the local community, contractors and to the South Wairarapa, Carterton District and Greater Wellington Regional Councils for helping to make this project a reality.”

flyin_higher

December 20th, 2006, 11:27 PM

^6I drove through ther back in May, and good progress could be seen. The bridges look pretty good too, kind of like the viaducts with the ALPUT project

Kane007

January 31st, 2007, 09:44 PM

Oh Goody.

At last, Bottleneck Taupo may get bypass

2007/02/01 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10421869)

A bold engineering project that will slice 30 minutes off the Auckland-Wellington road trip has finally reached the stage where resource consents can be sought - and it could be completed by 2010.

Since the late 1960s, the East Taupo Arterial Highway has been promoted as a must for Taupo's growth to take heavy traffic away from the lakefront and town centre.

Taupo Mayor Clayton Stent said yesterday that if the district council received a favourable hearing for its consent bid, tenders for construction of the $97 million project could be called in the second half of this year.

The 15km bypass of the town was a challenging project.

"The route runs across some difficult terrain, through major gullies and an active geothermal area, with a new bridge crossing of the Waikato River."

The highway will cut journey times for traffic heading north and south of Taupo and those who wanted to link with the Napier-Taupo Road - State Highway 5. For motorists coming from the north and Rotorua, the bypass will start at the T-junction where they currently turn right and pass the Wairakei geothermal power station, the hotel and golf courses, busy intersections to residential areas and eventually enter Taupo town centre by a narrow bridge over the river.

Instead, motorists will go straight ahead at the T-junction and across the river on a bridge that will lead into a cut in the south bank.

The highway will then skirt to the east of the Taupo urban area, with feeder roads into town at Centennial Drive, Broadlands Rd and to State Highway 5 to Napier, rejoining State Highway 1 south of the airport.

Mr Stent said the design of the highway had to take into account a range of environmental challenges which considerably increased costs.

Tangata whenua had been consulted about the bridge and it would be a low-profile design to lessen its impact.

The major land owner affected is state-owned farmer Landcorp and agreement has been reached for the sale of land in the highway's path. The road must also cross a major geothermal field and Contact Energy has been consulted about reducing the road's impact on its operations. The project's cost was given as $27 million until February last year, when $70 million was added because of increasing construction costs.

It is a joint project between Taupo District Council and Transit New Zealand. The council will pay for construction stages one to three, from the airport to Centennial Drive, which is expected to cost $43 million.

Transit NZ will pay the $54 million stage four, which includes the bridge.

Once resource consents are granted by Environment Waikato, the council and Transit NZ will apply for funding from Land Transport NZ.

Transit NZ's works programme has the project being completed by 2010.

Road planners believe the bypass will siphon at least 10,000 of the 29,000 vehicles a day that use the main road along the lakefront.

Taupo Chamber of Commerce chairman Warren Kettlewell said: "The arterial is intended for people who are not planning to take in Taupo and I'm sure anyone wanting to stop here will still do so.

"It's an opportune time to remove the big rigs and cattle trucks rumbling down the lakefront road."

Automobile Association Bay of Plenty district chairman Peter Hawley said: "I think most motorists would say the sooner the better. The town is a bottleneck with a long length of restricted speed and friction from side traffic."

--------- End of story ---------

Excellent. Get the the freight haulers off Taupo's streets. I mean Taupo is a great destination in itself, but sometimes you may just want to get to the Ski fields, Napier, or Wellington, so saving 20 minutes on the trip would be huge bonus.

But please, please put in some of those Service Centres, like on the Northern Motorway, and at the Bombays. Though if not, Turangi will really boom!

aucklandman

February 1st, 2007, 12:42 AM

That bypass will be fantastic, the trip through Taupo (unless your stopping) is the worst in the whole country.

They should put in a service centre as Taupo was a good place to get food and re-fuel, but Taupo will probably not want one, so it can redirect stoppers into Taupo. SO IT DOESNT WITHER AWAY!!!!!

Kane007

February 1st, 2007, 01:16 AM

Lol: No worries of that ever happening. Taupo is a world renowned destination and the only way to get rid of it, is if the Taupo crater lets go again! BOOM!

Plus the Round Taupo Cycle race has to start/finish somewhere.

aucklandman

February 1st, 2007, 01:53 AM

I know I was kidding, but do you think that they would oppose a service station for that reason?

Just for extra cash?

flyin_higher

February 1st, 2007, 02:11 AM

Yea the Taupo Bypass will be good, will get all those trucks, etc off the streets of Taupo. And no, I don't see much opposition to a service centre, because there is alredy one at Wairakei, which could itself possibly move closer towards the bypass route.

Kane007

February 24th, 2007, 08:30 AM

Heads up people and diarize 28 February - Transit New Zealand’s Draft 2007/08 Land Transport Programme and 10-year Financial Forecast (previously known as the draft State Highway Forecast) will be released on 28 February, signaling the start of a public consultation period that will run until 30 March 2007.

Its possible that this may mean we'll need to edit the title of this thread to NZ Surface Transport Development, surface meaning not by air or sea.

flyin_higher

February 24th, 2007, 10:55 AM

^^thanks kane. Good idea about renaming the thread, but 'Surface transport'? Hmm, whats wrong with Land Transport? It's in the Land Transport Management Act 2003 after all.

Moveax

February 24th, 2007, 12:13 PM

Whats the route of the taupo bypass, anyone got a map of it?

Kane007

February 24th, 2007, 07:34 PM

Got hold of this funky rendering.

http://www.k2vi.com/CaseStudies/EastTaupoBypass/images/East_Taupo_1.jpg

aucklandman

February 25th, 2007, 03:43 AM

^^ Nice, that bypass is pretty exciting!

Kane007

April 16th, 2007, 12:46 AM

Construction start for SH1 Avalon Drive Bypass Construction has started on the State Highway 1 Avalon Drive Bypass project, the ﬁrst of a number of projects Transit proposes to improve congestion and
safety on Hamilton’s Western Corridor.

The existing Avalon Drive highway carries over 25,000 vehicles daily and the new bypass will provide better separation of regional and local trafﬁc. It will also signiﬁ cantly improve access for the community, including several schools.

Construction was ofﬁcially started on 9 March with the turning of the ﬁrst sod by Hamilton West MP Martin Gallagher. Mayor of Hamilton Michael Redman, Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld and Transit regional manager Chris Allen also participated in the sod turning ceremony, which opened with an ofﬁcial welcome and Karakia by representatives from Nga Mana Toopu o Kirikiriroa.

In outlining other key components of the Western Corridor strategy Hamilton regional manager Chris Allen says: “The investigation phase of Te Rapa Bypass is nearing completion with construction forecast to begin within ﬁve years. Other projects include upgrading a number of key intersections south of the Avalon Drive Bypass project over the next three years.”

Western Corridor improvements will provide better access to Hamilton’s commercial and industrial areas, including the Crawford Street Rail Village, and create better links to the outlying areas west to Raglan on State Highway 23 and south to Taranaki on State Highway 3.

While Transit is considering improvements to the Western Corridor it is also committed to progressing the Waikato Expressway, east of Hamilton.

The Mercer to Longswamp section opened last July and Transit is currently undertaking further investigative work on four-laning the Rangiriri section. The design contract for the Cambridge Bypass is also about to be awarded and Transit is working with Land Transport New Zealand to secure funding for design work for the Ngaruawahia Bypass.

Kane007

April 17th, 2007, 06:01 AM

Kopu Bridge Replacement

Transit NZ has launched a new project website solely about Kopu Bridge (http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/).

The Kopu Bridge Replacement project affects a 6km section of SH25 from the Hauraki Road intersection (west of the existing bridge) to the intersection with SH26 from Paeroa to Thames (east of the existing bridge).

The existing one-lane bridge crosses the Waihou River and was built in 1927/28. It is 465m long and features a swing span to allow passage for large boats. Traffic is controlled by traffic signals at each end. An average 7700 vehicles use this section of SH25 each day, but during holiday peaks this number can double. The bridge presents a traffic bottleneck, particularly during holiday peaks. Historically, any traffic incidents on the bridge result in long queues forming and long delays for motorists.

This route is part of the Pacific Coast Highway – a touring route for international visitors – and carries significant numbers of local and international visitors to and from the Coromandel Peninsula.

The existing bridge is an earthquake risk and sections could potentially collapse in a moderate earthquake. The new bridge will be built to modern earthquake safety standards.

The new bridge will be approximately 550m long, with pierssupporting steel bridge beams and a concrete deck. The bridge and approaches will be designed for travel at 100km/h. Six piles driven up to 60m deep will support each pier. The bridge will feature 3.5m wide traffic lanes and 1.5m shoulders. The combined pedestrian/cycle lane will be 2.25m wide and separated from the traffic lanes by a concrete barrier.

The bridge and embankment design will not adversely affect flood levels. The project has been designed to accommodate 100 year floods.

Transit is also investigating replacement options for replacement of the nearby Kirikiri Stream Bridge on SH26. This bridge restricts flood flows and can cause flooding of the highway and surrounding land. A replacement bridge with greater flood capacity would alleviate this problem which also has flood reduction impacts on the Kopu Bridge project. Transit expects replacement of this bridge to be completed prior to construction of the new Kopu Bridge. The Kirikiri Stream Bridge replacement project also includes improvements to the SH26/SH25a intersection (Kopu-Hikuai).

Funding

The design phase of the SH25 Kopu Bridge Replacement project is now in progress and construction is currently included in Transit’s State Highway Forecast for an indicative start before 2011. Transit currently has no plans to toll this project.

Options

Transit first appointed consultants to investigate replacing the existing bridge in 1997. They identified two principal replacement options:

* Option 1 – a bridge adjacent to the existing structure
* Option 2 – a bridge located 700m upstream which would join SH26 at the intersection with SH25a which crosses the Coromandel Range to holiday destinations at Whangamata and Whitianga.

After extensive community consultation, Option 1 was chosen by Transit as its preferred option, primarily because Option 2 required a bridge that was 250m longer, with significantly higher costs.

Since then, land required for the new bridge has been designated under the Thames Coromandel and Hauraki District Plans along with the necessary resource consents from the regional council and this allowed the detailed bridge design to progress. Public consultation continues.

What This Project Includes

This project includes:

* a new two-way bridge approximately 550m long with cycle/walkway
* a new curved road alignment west of the bridge
* a new link road to SH26 east of the bridge
* a 55m diameter roundabout at the junction with SH25/26
* a new link to the Kopu industrial area
* widening of SH26 from the roundabout to the Kopu Motel.

The centre span of the new bridge will be 20m wide and 6.5m above mean sea level, providing sufficient height for large river boats to pass under.

The existing bridge is classified as a Category 1 historic structure by the Historic Places Trust and will be retained. Transit will decide how the existing bridge is to be used and maintained following community consultation. The bridge swing span will be opened from time to time to provide access for large river craft.

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/thumbs/gallery-3-tmb.jpgVideo (56mb) (http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/videos/full/kopu-broadband.avi)

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-1-566.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-2-566.jpg

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/model-1-566.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/model-2-566.jpg

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/model-3-566.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/bridge-1-566.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/bridge-2-566.jpg

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-3-566.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-4-566.jpg
http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-5-566.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-6-566.jpg
http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-7-566.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/kopubridge/gallery/photos/full/gallery-8-566.jpg

flyin_higher

April 17th, 2007, 07:49 AM

It's certainly about time they built a replacement for the Kopu Bridge...traffic gets ridiculous in the summer months.

Moveax

April 17th, 2007, 12:38 PM

Kane007

April 18th, 2007, 03:54 AM

Avalon Drive Bypass

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/capture3.jpg

SH1
Hamilton City

Purpose: The SH1 Avalon Drive Bypass will provide a new free flowing bypass road that will bypass the congested section of Avalon Drive from Rotokauri Road to Forest Lake Road. The Bypass will improve travel times and safety for inter-regional and inter-city traffic, and will enhance the residential and retail environment of the bypassed section of Avalon Drive. It will also provide convenient access at each end for motorists to connect with local roads.

EstimatedCost: $41M
Start Date: February 2007
Location: Hamilton City
Engineering Features:

* A two-lane bypass road from Crawford Street to Norton Road generally to the west of and following the existing rail corridor.
* A new four-leg roundabout at Rotokauri Road to connect the Bypass to Avalon Drive and Crawford Street.
* A new five-leg roundabout at Norton Road to connect the Bypass to Lincoln Street, Norton Road and Rifle Range Road.
* Underpasses at the roundabouts to allow safe passage of pedestrians and cyclists away from road traffic.
* A railway bridge to carry the North Island Main Trunk Line over Norton Road and the lowering of Norton Road to pass under the new bridge.

Environment Features: Significant lengths of noise walls will be installed along the Bypass to mitigate the effect of traffic noise on adjacent residential areas.

Interesting Facts: The Avalon Drive Bypass is part of a wider package of integrated projects which together make up the western corridor transport strategy. The aim of this strategy is to align all transport options to meet future city growth through the Te Rapa/ Hamilton west area.

KIWIKAAS

April 18th, 2007, 10:26 AM

I've read articles which keep mentioning 2 new tunnels to be built in wellington - a second mt victoria tunnel and terrace tunnel. However in the draft rlts it only has tidal flow for the terrace tunnel? are the journalists getting it wrong or is there newer information coming from somewhere?

If it was an article from 1973 then I would say that, that's correct. Originally there were going to be twin Terrace tunnels (as you are aware), the bypass was going to be a continuation of the motorway to twin tunnels under Mt Victoria. Whether these tunnels will ever eventuate is anyones guess. I suppose the idea still sits in a cabinet in the local Transit office.

deepred

April 18th, 2007, 11:21 AM

If it was an article from 1973 then I would say that, that's correct. Originally there were going to be twin Terrace tunnels (as you are aware), the bypass was going to be a continuation of the motorway to twin tunnels under Mt Victoria. Whether these tunnels will ever eventuate is anyones guess. I suppose the idea still sits in a cabinet in the local Transit office.
Now that the bypass is complete, the next phase of the Ngauranga-Airport Study (http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/view_project.jsp?=edit&action=edit&content_type=project&primary_key=199) is to be decided. It's too early to tell, but apart from duplicating the Terrace & Mt Vic tunnels, the only other phases I can think of are widening Ruahine St and Wellington Rd, and the Petone-Grenada link (which Mayor Prendergast personally favours). Apparently tidal flows for the Terrace Tunnel were looked into but deemed too unsafe.

Kane007

April 23rd, 2007, 06:19 AM

Avalon Drive Bypass

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/NortonRdroundabout.jpg

TRANSIT WEBSITE NOW UP (http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/avalondrive/gallery/photos/)

The SH1 Avalon Drive Bypass will provide a new free flowing bypass road that will bypass the congested section of Avalon Drive from Rotokauri Road to Norton Road.

The bypass road will be approximately two kilometres long and have roundabout intersections at each end. The project commences north of the existing intersection of Rotokauri Road with SH1, diverts to the east away from the existing highway by a roundabout intersection with the bypass running parallel to the railway along vacant ex-railway land. The bypass will pass over Forest Lake Road on a new overbridge that will be built alongside the existing railway overbridge. The bypass will then reconnect with the existing SH1 alignment at a new five-leg roundabout connecting with Norton Road, Lincoln Street and Rifle Range Road. Norton Road will be lowered to pass under a new railway bridge, which will replace the existing railway level crossing.

The existing highway, which carries in excess of 25,000 vehicles per day, suffers from safety issues, congestion and delays, and environmental degradation through the adjacent residential and commercial areas along Avalon Drive (with a posted speed of 60km./h). There are significant delays at the two signalised intersections at Forest Lake Road and Norton Road, with the delays at Norton road compounded by the adjacent railway level crossing.

The intersection delays result in drivers taking short cuts through adjacent residential streets with consequent congestion and safety issues at minor intersections with local roads and the state highway.

A busy state highway passing through a built up urban area can constitute an increased safety risk for local inhabitants, degrade the environment of the community, and create a severance effect within the community. It also impedes the passage of through traffic, increasing travel time and costs for people and freight.

The new bypass will initially be constructed as a two-lane route. However, provision has been made within the project’s current land designation for a further two lanes to be added as future traffic demand requires.

The project is within the Hamilton City Council (HCC) urban area, and Transit has worked in partnership with HCC to deliver this project. The existing Avalon Drive will be transferred to HCC control when construction of the bypass alignment is completed.

Once completed the Avalon Drive Bypass will:

* Provide improved travel times and safety for inter-regional and inter-city traffic

* Improve the residential and retail environment of the bypassed section of Avalon Drive

* Eliminate the problems caused by numerous private access and minor road junctions on this section of SH1

* Provide convenient access at each end to divert to or join from local roads

The Avalon Drive Bypass will also form part of an integrated package of projects making up the western corridor strategy for greater Hamilton. The western corridor is the existing SH1 through Hamilton serving the city’s commercial and industrial hub and providing connections to the Crawford Street Rail Village. It also links to SH23 to Raglan and SH3 to Taranaki. The western corridor will ultimately provide a transport system that will assist regional economic development and facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods in the through the region.

Funding

The project is being funded through the National Land Transport Fund administered by Land Transport New Zealand.

Options

In 1999 Transit engaged consultants to investigate options to improve capacity and address concerns about congestion and conflict between inter-regional and local traffic on SH1 in west Hamilton.

Ten initial options were investigated. These included options for upgrading the existing length of Avalon Drive south of Rotokauri Road with widening and intersection variations, and various bypass options with connections at different locations back to the existing Avalon Drive. Out of all these initial options two main options were considered in detail. These two alternatives were:

* Four-laning of the existing two lane road between Rotokauri Road and the Norton / Rifle Range road Intersection

* Construction of a two km-long bypass road between Rotokauri Road and the Norton / Rifle Range road Intersection

Different intersection forms were also examined for each option.

After extensive investigation and community consultation the option of a bypass road along redundant railway land was selected. This option was seen as providing the most efficient outcome and the most advantageous solution for the existing residential and business area.

What this Project Includes:

The Avalon Drive Bypass project consists of:

* A two-lane bypass generally to the west of and following the existing rail corridor.

* A new four-leg roundabout at Rotokauri Road to connect the bypass to Avalon Drive and Crawford Street.

* Underpasses at the roundabouts to allow safe passage of pedestrians and cyclists away from road traffic.

* A new five-leg roundabout at Norton Road to connect the bypass to Lincoln Street, Norton Road and Rifle Range Road.

* A railway bridge to carry the North Island Main Trunk Line over Norton Road and the lowering of Norton Road to pass under the new bridge. (The new Norton Roundabout will be lowered approximately 3 metres below the current intersection level. Norton Road will be lowered further as it passes under the new railway bridge, before rising to reconnect with the existing carriageway. This will replace the existing railway level crossing).

* Significant lengths of noise walls along the bypass length to mitigate the effect of traffic noise on adjacent residential areas.

* An 8000 m3 retention pond.

* Provision for the future four-laning of the bypass.

Kane007

April 23rd, 2007, 06:22 AM

Transits also done up the Waikato Expressway website (http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/waikatoexpressway/).

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/waikatoexpressway/gallery/photos/full/20070720-After-566.jpg

The Waikato Expressway is a proposed 94.5 km long four-lane upgrade of State Highway 1 starting just south of Cambridge through to Mercer in the north.

KIWIKAAS

September 4th, 2007, 11:39 AM

Awatere Bridge
SH1
North of Seddon and 25km south of Blenheim.

Coming along well now

http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/projects/Project136_ImageFile1.jpg

http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/projects/Project136_ImageFile2.jpg

http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/projects/Project136_ImageFile3.jpg

spotila

September 5th, 2007, 04:33 AM

I think I remember crossing that bridge. Is that the one on SH1 that you get to and think, "aren't I on SH1, ONE LANE WTF!?".

<3

Davee

September 5th, 2007, 10:50 AM

We use to love it as kids when we were going to Picton. But as an adult - it is the most freaky f--ked up think you could ever imagine. One lane with train tracks over your head!!!

We need one proper motorway from Whangarei to Invercargill :banana: - will we ever see it???

NZer

September 5th, 2007, 10:55 AM

I think Taupo-Whangarei is realistic for our lifetimes,and maybe Wellington-Palmerston Nth.
Not sure about Sth Island coz I haven't travelled on the road between Picton and Invercargill.

Davee

September 5th, 2007, 11:02 AM

I think Taupo-Whangarei is realistic for our lifetimes,and maybe Wellington-Palmerston Nth.
Not sure about Sth Island coz I haven't travelled on the road between Picton and Invercargill.

Kaikora is a nightmare - mountains, road and sea.

I think the worst trip is Chirstchurch to Ashburton then on to Timaru.

Christchurch going north to Waipara is not good either.

TonyNZ

September 5th, 2007, 11:12 AM

What was wrong with Chrch to Ashburton? It was fine for me when I went there last year.

KIWIKAAS

September 5th, 2007, 11:14 AM

We need one proper motorway from Whangarei to Invercargill :banana: - will we ever see it???

In one word?

no

Moveax

September 5th, 2007, 12:56 PM

Transit nz's long term (30 years) proposal:
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9686/roading30yearsin3.png

NZer

September 5th, 2007, 01:15 PM

^^ What about Auckland-Tauranga?.....are they on drugs?

Moveax

September 5th, 2007, 01:20 PM

^^ What about Auckland-Tauranga?.....are they on drugs?

What do you mean by what about it? Theres proposed four laning on the fat dark blue line, and possible four laning on light blue line. So if it all goes ahead then in the upper north island you will be able to travel on a (likely to be) grade seperated multi lane road between whangarei, auckland, hamilton and tauranga.

NZer

September 5th, 2007, 01:45 PM

woops.
I missed the lightblue bit between Ham-Tau.
But it still doesn't look as though the current S.H 2 will be four-laned, rather S.H 27 and S.H 29.

Verdi

September 5th, 2007, 03:10 PM

What was wrong with Chrch to Ashburton? It was fine for me when I went there last year.

????????????^^

jams. idots passing at stupid speads. no saftey barriers. no emergency stopping lanes. fucking big trucks. slow, slow traffic. SH1 passing right through the middle of towns. fucking idiots with kids sometimes running across the road. bad signage. crazy bridges. level rail crossings. the railway line and road crossing each other a number of times. crazy passing lanes that are badly put together. bad approach into chc. bad lighting in many parts. no emergency get off junctions or roads.

apart from that - it's a great main state highway for a provence of 520,000 people.

do you drive or have you driven it for yourself? no wonder europeans laugh when you talk about highways or motorways in nz. it was a big wake up call to me when i came here to think how shitty our roads are.

NZer

September 5th, 2007, 03:30 PM

I'm sure it's not that bad.

Whangarei to Hamilton is every bit as bad as that sounds and it's like 1.5 million people.

KIWIKAAS

September 5th, 2007, 07:04 PM

woops.
I missed the lightblue bit between Ham-Tau.
But it still doesn't look as though the current S.H 2 will be four-laned, rather S.H 27 and S.H 29.

SH.2 is'nt the planned main route. The idea is that with the Waikato Expressway and further 4 lane extensions that Auckland-Tauranga traffic will travel via Hamilton, Cambridge and Tirau. SH.2 will be basically left as it is for the most part except for the first 30km to the turn-off to Thames and the sections directly adjacent to the Tauranga urban area.

Davee

September 5th, 2007, 08:52 PM

I'm sure it's not that bad.

Whangarei to Hamilton is every bit as bad as that sounds and it's like 1.5 million people.

Have you ever driven that leg of road? A lot of traffic moves between Dunedin and Christchurch. A lot of people also commute for work throughout mid Canterbury to Christchurch.

When we were at home in December, we were shocked at the state of SH1 and I don't think Verdi's discripition is to far from true.

The Ashburton District Council want SH1 moved outside the town which is growing very quickly (pop approx 16,500). On our way south to Mt Cook, to get to the Geraldine turn off, we had, hold ups, slow traffic, the lorries on the road loaded with livestock and logs, plus other goods was incredable. The passing lanes are a danger (I doubt you'd be allowed to build them anywhere else in the world like NZ does) and there are a lot of VERY impatient drivers.

Our roads get me mad. The South Island has it's roading problems too, not just the North.:(

NZer

September 6th, 2007, 11:54 AM

SH.2 is'nt the planned main route. The idea is that with the Waikato Expressway and further 4 lane extensions that Auckland-Tauranga traffic will travel via Hamilton, Cambridge and Tirau. SH.2 will be basically left as it is for the most part except for the first 30km to the turn-off to Thames and the sections directly adjacent to the Tauranga urban area.

Oh, okay.
That's a good idea.
It will be interesting to see what is done to the road over the Kaimais, it is very steep on the Western(Waikato) side.

NZer

September 6th, 2007, 11:59 AM

Have you ever driven that leg of road? A lot of traffic moves between Dunedin and Christchurch. A lot of people also commute for work throughout mid Canterbury to Christchurch.

When we were at home in December, we were shocked at the state of SH1 and I don't think Verdi's discripition is to far from true.

The Ashburton District Council want SH1 moved outside the town which is growing very quickly (pop approx 16,500). On our way south to Mt Cook, to get to the Geraldine turn off, we had, hold ups, slow traffic, the lorries on the road loaded with livestock and logs, plus other goods was incredable. The passing lanes are a danger (I doubt you'd be allowed to build them anywhere else in the world like NZ does) and there are a lot of VERY impatient drivers.

Our roads get me mad. The South Island has it's roading problems too, not just the North.:(

I wasn't trying to say that the Sth Island doesn't need money spent on it's roads,or that they should be left out of any consideration for funding and upgrading, I was just under the impression that they are a lot quieter than up north, maybe I was wrong?

I agree with you on the passing lanes, what's the point of having a 500m to 1km long passing lane on a highway with a 100km/h speed limit.....it's just asking for a head on crash, and the utterly STUPID and inconsistent signage for the passing lanes makes it even worse.

Agree with you on the drivers too, but I think the drivers are just frustrated with the dismal roads.

Svartmetall

September 9th, 2007, 05:28 PM

I wasn't trying to say that the Sth Island doesn't need money spent on it's roads,or that they should be left out of any consideration for funding and upgrading, I was just under the impression that they are a lot quieter than up north, maybe I was wrong?

I agree with you on the passing lanes, what's the point of having a 500m to 1km long passing lane on a highway with a 100km/h speed limit.....it's just asking for a head on crash, and the utterly STUPID and inconsistent signage for the passing lanes makes it even worse.

Agree with you on the drivers too, but I think the drivers are just frustrated with the dismal roads.

Also, the placement of the passing lanes tends to be in the most obscure locations. When travelling north on whatever you call the road with the signage "1" (SH1 or something isn't it? I never pay attention to the real designation, I keep wanting to say M1), the passing lanes can sometimes occur on some of the sharpest bends imaginable for some of the shortest stretches of road possible! 500m later you're stuck up the creek without a paddle as some lorry very insistantly wants to run you off the road with all the want to give way of a very stubborn donkey.

jarbury

September 10th, 2007, 12:06 AM

Often I think passing lanes do more harm than good. There are some shockers between Orewa and Warkworth for example, heading in either direction they're far too short, they happen on 55 kph corners and they're always on uphill stretches (which makes some sense to pass slow trucks but also makes it more difficult to judge whether you'll have time to pass someone or not.)

NZer

September 10th, 2007, 08:59 AM

Yes the Brynderwin ascent from the south is terrible, the passing lanes are more like little truck bays.

But the North side of the Brynderwins on that same road is actually not too bad nowadays.

KaneD

September 23rd, 2007, 09:28 AM

Why don't we build more tunnels here in NZ? They seem so much more of an efficient solution to building roads through mountainous areas.

They have many benefits:

Pollution - Tunnels make the route less winding and allow a road to go straight through a hill rather than winding its way up and down. This makes the road distance overall shorter and one uses less fuel as a result of that and because there is less accelerating and decelerating.

Environment - Building [nice] roads over hills involves large earthworks which damages large amounts of ecologically sensitive areas - This is especially so in the national park areas.

Economy - Lower fuel bills + quicker road trips somewhere along the line must equal more money for someone. That someone should in theory be you and me.

Safety - Apart from the odd incident when a fuel tanker explodes in a tunnel and causes mass death, generally it would seem that tunnels should be safer as there aren't those awful corners with steep drops that our young folk seem to like rolling down.

While tunnels cost a lot to build, I don't believe they can be anywhere near as expensive as they have us believe - Do a google search on tunnels in Iceland, Faroe Islands and Norway and you'll get an idea of just how extensive their tunnel network is. And before you suggest that Norway is an oil rich country, remember that Faroe Islands and Iceland are not, and they only have very small populations.

KaneD

September 23rd, 2007, 09:51 AM

Davee

September 23rd, 2007, 09:52 AM

KaneD

September 24th, 2007, 11:06 AM

Davee

September 24th, 2007, 11:24 AM

Moveax

September 24th, 2007, 01:24 PM

Rimutakas, Takaka Hill, Killmog Hill, Brynderwyns, Hundalees, Lewis/Arthurs Pass, Porters Pass.... the list goes on...

I can't see why Transit doesn't like tunnels?

I think it would be a better solution than always trying to find the cheapest short term solution all the time.

There have been many different tunnel proposals for the rimutaka ranges. It has been investigated recently too. One option was to complete the original motorway plan which would have twin two lane tunnels.

As it is now SH2 through the hutt between silverstream and moonshine hill road is a normal road but is built on motorway reserve. SH2 today crosses the hutt river and ends up going through upper hutt. It was supposed to have continued (as motorway) behind the suburb of totara park, behind the te marua golf course and the water supply lakes then going towards the rimutakas and entering the tunnels. It would have come out just north of featherston. The only problem with this elaborate plan is the cost, $1,000,000,000. This cost is hardly justified when only about 5000 cars a day use the rimutaka hill road.

KIWIKAAS

September 24th, 2007, 01:39 PM

When they built the Upper Hutt bypass back in the mid eighties the Labour Govt of the time downgraded the project to a mere two lane road with at grade intersections. A few years later they added some passing lanes but the resulting project is nothing like what it was supposed to be. I suppose it will be upgraded at some stage.

Considering the traffic volumes a single tube, 2 lane tunnel would be enough through the Rimutakas surely. Alternatively buliding another carrageway over the ranges creating a 4 lane divided road.

Paulsy

September 24th, 2007, 01:42 PM

Oh... one more thing...

Transit reckons that another auckland harbour crossing would cost about 3 billion bucks. That sounds rather expensive when you consider that the Millau Viaduct in France recently cost 394million Euros which is about 800 million dollars.

The Millau viaduct is 2.5km in length and is the worlds highest bridge.

So what gives here?

$2.5 billion for consultants, public discussions, environmental impact reports and to check they won't disturb any taniwhas, $500M to build it.

Surely some precast submersible tunnels in a trench would work - or is the sea bed a strange shape? Anyone know?

KIWIKAAS

September 24th, 2007, 01:46 PM

Oh... one more thing...

Transit reckons that another auckland harbour crossing would cost about 3 billion bucks. That sounds rather expensive when you consider that the Millau Viaduct in France recently cost 394million Euros which is about 800 million dollars.

The Millau viaduct is 2.5km in length and is the worlds highest bridge.

So what gives here?

But the logistics of the Millau viaduct are very different ie: support structure built above ground (no construction of underwater sections which costs alot more), plus the harbour crossing bill is including connecting sections to the CMJ or via a tunnel under Ponsonby to the North Western Mwy.

Paulsy

September 24th, 2007, 01:48 PM

Lyttelton road tunnel cost 3M pounds to build in 1964 (and to those who haven't seen it it is beautifully finished). How the hell can one cost 1000x that today?

NZer

September 24th, 2007, 02:02 PM

inflation

KIWIKAAS

September 24th, 2007, 02:08 PM

Lyttelton road tunnel cost 3M pounds to build in 1964 (and to those who haven't seen it it is beautifully finished). How the hell can one cost 1000x that today?

But the Lyttelton tunnel would'nt cost $3 billion today. It would probably cost something like $100-200 million.

Paulsy

September 24th, 2007, 02:14 PM

inflation
Ultra mega super inflation with a large helping of BS mixed in for good luck. Lucky we built so many roads, railways and tunnels back in the good old days because we sure couldn't afford it today.

Paulsy

September 24th, 2007, 02:16 PM

But the Lyttelton tunnel would'nt cost $3 billion today. It would probably cost something like $100-200 million.

So you could build 30 of them for the cost of one across Auckland harbour?

NZer

September 24th, 2007, 02:20 PM

Does anyone have pics of the Lyttleton Tunnel?

KIWIKAAS

September 24th, 2007, 02:32 PM

$100 is my lowest estimate so lets say maybe 15 -20

Davee

September 24th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Does anyone have pics of the Lyttleton Tunnel?

Oh yeah baby....and Daveys going to take you right through it.....:banana:

Davee

September 24th, 2007, 05:48 PM

There she is - what a beauty!!!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Picture054.jpg?t=1190648558

In we go.....MMMMMMMMMMMM
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Picture055.jpg?t=1190648675

Oh Yeah...we're in Deep!!!! Ahhhhhhh! So Dark...So warm...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Picture057.jpg?t=1190648792

Nearly there.....
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Picture058.jpg?t=1190649845

And out - Wooow, what a ride...:banana:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Picture059.jpg?t=1190649653

Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did :)

SYDNEY

September 24th, 2007, 10:30 PM

^^^ Gr8 ride Davey - thanks ;)

Bridge designs aimed at flood prevention
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Tuesday September 25, 2007

Two road bridges blamed for exacerbating floods on the Thames coast are to be replaced over the next two years at a cost to Transit NZ of more than $7 million. The agency announced yesterday that it had funds available to award a construction contract by the end of this year for new bridges across the flood-prone Tararu and Te Puru creeks on State Highway 25 north of Thames. Single-lane Bailey bridges will be installed to keep the coastal highway to Coromandel township open during a construction period of about 18 months, although Transit does not expect these will be needed over the coming summer. Transit's Waikato manager, Chris Allen, said the existing bridges were too low and short to handle more than about half the volume of water shooting downstream in big storms such as the 2002 "weather bomb" which caused millions of dollars of damage and claimed the life of a woman in a caravan washed away at nearby Waiomu.

Debris squashed against the bridges in storms has caused widespread flooding to homes upstream, particularly at Tararu, where Environment Waikato has installed a marine wall to protect about 35 properties. Mr Allen said Transit would also build large river "training" walls to direct water flow to a widened channel under the new Tararu bridge, which would be about 20m long and 10m wide to carry two lanes of traffic and ample shoulders and footpaths for cyclists and pedestrians. Te Puru's new bridge would be a 36m single-span structure, without need of the existing bridge's piers, which have caused scouring in heavy floods. Environment Waikato, which has overseen a $10 million Government flood protection package with Thames-Coromandel District Council and other agencies, intends building stop-banks below and above the new bridge once it is completed.

Both bridges will be built higher than their predecessors. Mr Allen said there would be enough room for flows from floods of a severity not expected to hit the area more than once in every 100 years. As for the one-lane Kopu bridge south of Thames, notorious for holding up holiday traffic, Mr Allen said design work for a $32 million two-lane replacement structure was almost complete, although construction was unlikely to start until 2010-11.

Paulsy

September 25th, 2007, 03:50 AM

Oh yeah baby....and Daveys going to take you right through it.....:banana:

It's a great tunnel. I'm always impressed by how beautifully clean it is and just how many tiles are on it. Someone stuck all those tiles up (obviously not the guy that did my bathroom or it would have bankrupted the country). Paid for by the local community too (after central govt refused to fund it). 1900m long and with the ends angled so you can't see out until right at each end (did they do that so you don't have to drive along it looking into bright light during the day - I wonder).

NZer

September 25th, 2007, 12:09 PM

Thanks Dave.

Davee

September 25th, 2007, 01:17 PM

Thanks Dave.

My pleasure :)

KaneD

October 1st, 2007, 11:03 AM

But the logistics of the Millau viaduct are very different ie: support structure built above ground (no construction of underwater sections which costs alot more), plus the harbour crossing bill is including connecting sections to the CMJ or via a tunnel under Ponsonby to the North Western Mwy.

Ok for a better comparison, Sydney's Cross City Tunnel is a 2.2km tunnel (actually twin tunnels) complete with a complex array of side tunnels for on/off ramps etc.

The cross city tunnel sounds like it would be similar to Aucklands proposed harbour tunnel

Transit costs the harbour tunnel at about NZ$3 billion
Sydneys comparable tunnel cost AU$680 million

Still sounds like we're being shafted... royally

KIWIKAAS

October 1st, 2007, 11:45 AM

^^
Yes. It's hard to say.
If you look at the cost of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel in 1992 at A$554 or $738 million (depending which source you believe). Construction costs have since increased enormously + of course basic inflation. Today it would probably cost A$2 billion +. An under water tunnel is always far more expansive than a standard underground tunnel. The logistics involved are far more complex and expensive.

KIWIKAAS

October 11th, 2007, 10:10 AM

My question is.
Why in 2007 is SH1 (in this region of the country) still a 2-lane goat track where right turning traffic has to stand still in the middle of the road?
Talk about primative.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Police have named a man who died in a three-car pile-up which left a 29-year-old mother and her four-year-old son in critical condition in Waikato yesterday.

He was Robert Allan Frazer, 65, formerly of Horotiu.

Waikato Hospital spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill told NZPA today the woman, who had been driving one of the cars, and her son were now stable.

The crash happened just after 4.20pm on State Highway 1 about 5km north of Tirau in the south Waikato.

A 30-year-old man, who had been driving another car, was in a moderate condition, Ms Gill said.

Today Tokoroa police Sergeant William Hale said the crash happened when a stationary vehicle waiting to make a right hand turn across the highway had been hit from behind.
"This has caused the vehicle to spin into the northbound lane where it was struck by an oncoming northbound vehicle," Mr Hale said.

Mr Frazer, who was the front seat passenger of the turning vehicle, died at the scene.

Advertisement

AdvertisementSH1 was closed for several hours yesterday with diversions in place while the accident scene was examined.

- NZPA

jarbury

October 11th, 2007, 11:51 PM

That's why you should always have your wheels pointing forwards when waiting to turn right. I don't think you can really expect SH1 near Tokoroa to be a 4 lane grade separated highway for a while yet. Especially when its traffic volumes are compared to those of SH1 between Puhoi and Warkworth.

KIWIKAAS

October 12th, 2007, 12:26 AM

^^
Doesnt need to be 4-laned if the funding and traffic volumes dont justify it.
I was thinking more on the lines of turning lanes and other safety measures.
The trouble with SH1 and SH2 is that these highways are basically engineerd the same way as a deserted highway in the central south island.

Being clobbered from behind at high speed will throw you any which way regardless of in which direction your wheels are facing. The wheel rule makes good sense if you get bumped at 30kph but higher than that anything can happen.

I hate to say it but with the state of highways in the North Island I think a 80kph limit might be the best answer on many of these roads in the absence of better engineering. They would never allow 100kph on those roads in most European countries.

jarbury

October 12th, 2007, 01:00 AM

^^I see what you're saying. Definitely a lot of "minor" improvements could be done. I don't understand why they don't make more use of the "wire rope" barriers down the middle of SH1 and on the sides of it. They would save most lives I think.

Kane007

October 12th, 2007, 01:02 AM

Didn't the limit use to be 80kph until the early 80's?

jarbury

October 12th, 2007, 01:10 AM

I don't think so. In the 1970s Road Safety was a dirty word after all ;)

Kane007

October 12th, 2007, 01:13 AM

No no, I actually think it was another of Muldoons methods of cost controls post the original oil shocks.

jarbury

October 12th, 2007, 01:44 AM

Isn't that what they're doing in France at the moment? A big referendum on lowering the speed limit to save petrol?

KIWIKAAS

October 12th, 2007, 01:45 AM

The open road limit was 80kph untill from 1975 to 1985 I believe. When I got my drivers license it was still 80kph. Shortly there after it changed back to 100kph. Trouble was that drivers themselves never adjusted to the 80 limit and enforcement was virtually non existant unless you were doing over a 100 so the 80 limit was never really the case in practice

Kane007

October 12th, 2007, 01:54 AM

Hay Kaas, I still have my old BOOK licence :lol: , somewhere.

:) I got my license in '84.

Kane007

October 12th, 2007, 01:56 AM

Isn't that what they're doing in France at the moment? A big referendum on lowering the speed limit to save petrol?

Yes I've heard that too. Nothing like racing along their autoroutes at 110kph, unless it rains then you have to drop to 90kph.

Davee

October 12th, 2007, 09:55 AM

Yes I've heard that too. Nothing like racing along their autoroutes at 110kph, unless it rains then you have to drop to 90kph.

130kms in the dry on the Toll roads :)

KIWIKAAS

October 12th, 2007, 09:57 AM

Hay Kaas, I still have my old BOOK licence :lol: , somewhere.

:) I got my license in '84.

Yeah? I had to turn in my book in when we got those horrible green, cheapo paper ones in 1988?
I got my licence end 1983.

Davee

October 13th, 2007, 02:41 PM

Yeah? I had to turn in my book in when we got those horrible green, cheapo paper ones in 1988?
I got my licence end 1983.

still got my horrid non destructable paper one!!!

NZer

October 13th, 2007, 02:48 PM

^^I think I remember my dads paper license.I had forgotten about those.

It was such a novelty getting my license photo card thing when I got my drivers license, I felt like I was important.lol 15 year olds are clueless.

Rooty

October 14th, 2007, 07:15 AM

It was such a novelty getting my license photo card thing when I got my drivers license, I felt like I was important.lol 15 year olds are clueless.
Getting my restricted licence still feels like the greatest accomplishment of my life to date (more so than the full) - especially because my Dad said I had a better chance of flying over the moon than passing it, and I showed him (and his parentally-negligent negativity) in not doing a single thing wrong.

SYDNEY

October 14th, 2007, 10:50 AM

Getting my restricted licence still feels like the greatest accomplishment of my life to date (more so than the full) - especially because my Dad said I had a better chance of flying over the moon than passing it, and I showed him (and his parentally-negligent negativity) in not doing a single thing wrong.

Congrats mate :cheers: - you aren't one of those stupid little hoons :ohno:

Rooty

October 14th, 2007, 11:48 AM

Congrats mate :cheers:
Oh, it was while ago - I'm almost 29. I just haven't achieved anything of note since.

jarbury

October 15th, 2007, 11:02 AM

Restricted License test is EXTREMELY easy... I found the full license test much trickier. Still passed both first time though :)

Rooty

October 15th, 2007, 01:10 PM

Restricted License test is EXTREMELY easy... I found the full license test much trickier. Still passed both first time though :)
My anecdotal experience is that more people fail the restricted than the full. Of course this experience is highly regional.

I agree the restricted is easy though - if you know what to do. It's just as much, if not more of a test of your ability to look in all the right places than it is a test of car control. The average middle-aged person wouldn't pass it though, so they're not in the best position to prep their kids for it. My sister failed three times under the direction of my Dad, who thought she was a good driver. I passed first time, without setting a foot wrong, despite my Dad thinking I was a bad driver, because I took lessons from an instructor and knew exactly what the assessor was looking out for. I'd probably fail if I took it tomorrow without being prepped for it.

When I did the full, my answers to the hazard detection questions totally weren't sufficient, but the tester must've thought it was all a load of bullshit as I could obviously drive, so he was helping me along to give the right answers.

Kane007

November 1st, 2007, 01:53 AM

Mangatawhiri Deviation

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/MangatawhiriDeviation.jpg

Substantial progress has been made on the $46M State Highway 2 (SH2) Mangatawhiri Deviation construction project.

A construction contract was awarded to Multiplex Engineering (NZ) Ltd with HEB Smithbridge Ltd on 27 October last year. The contractor established on site and began clearing the 7km route in November and December. Earthworks began in earnest in January.

Long periods of fine weather in February and March helped progress the project, and the following earthworks and culvert construction works are now underway:

• Three kilometres of new highway embankments on the flats east and west of Koheroa Road
• Excavation of the cutting at Koheroa Road
• Three stock underpasses
• Preparation and piling for the Homestead Road Bridge
• Preparation and piling for the Koheroa Road Bridge
• Drainage culverts

Environmental protection works are also being implemented across the entire site. These include the construction of 20 sediment retention ponds and the construction of bunds (walls) around the site to prevent untreated run-off reaching waterways.

As winter approaches bulk earthworks will give way to bridge and road construction. Koheroa Road has now been diverted to allow the excavation and construction of the Koheroa Road overbridge. The deepest point of this cutting will be 15 metres below the current ground level.

All-weather haul roads to move heavy equipment along the project length have also been constructed.

The discovery of a disused gravel pit at the eastern end of the project has given the contractor access to a valuable filling rock, and reduced the need for metal to be trucked to the site.

Changes will make SH2 safer for all drivers

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Mangatawhiricurrent.jpg

Transit New Zealand’s contractor constructing the Mangatawhiri Deviation is making changes to the layout of State Highway 2 (SH2) east of Mangatawhiri.

It is important that the local community using this highway understands what these changes are and why they are being made.

Construction traffic using Bell Road

Construction vehicles are using Bell Road, located east of Mangatawhiri village, to access the project construction site and the contractor’s site office.

Traffic volumes on Bell Road are expected to rise to more than 400 truck movements per day and up to 250 light vehicle movements per day.

Speeding drivers a safety risk

Up till now, a temporary 80km/h temporary speed restriction has been in place on SH2 in the vicinity of Bell Road, with signs warning traffic about trucks crossing the highway. However, highway traffic is not complying with the speed restriction and many vehicles are accelerating as they pass the intersection, in anticipation of the passing lanes located either side of Bell Road.

There have been several reports of ‘near misses’ involving turning vehicles. Transit has acted quickly to address these safety risks and minimise risks to all road users.

Addressing safety issues

New safety measures include:

• creating a right turn bay on SH2 for vehicles turning into Bell Road
• closing the passing lanes east and west of Bell Road
• posting a temporary speed limit of 80km/h on SH2 near Bell Road.

These changes have been implemented by the project contractor Multiplex Engineering (NZ) Ltd.

Changing driver behaviour

The situation at Bell road is unusual because eastbound and westbound passing lanes begin just 50m and 100m from the intersection.

Because drivers approaching Bell Road are often preparing to overtake, installing a right turn bay without removal of the passing lanes would have added to the safety risks because some drivers might attempt to overtake on the right turn bay.

New road marking and signs will help reinforce the 80km/h speed limit for drivers.

Deviation will provide long term solution

Removal of the passing lanes will reduce overtaking opportunities for motorists on SH2 in the short term, but the completed Mangatawhiri Deviation will provide permanent passing lanes in both directions. The deviation is expected to be complete by May 2009.

Alternatives considered

Transit looked at alternative locations for vehicle access and the site office, but these raised other highway safety issues. The central location of Bell Road to the construction site remains the best location to ensure the project is completed quickly.

Kane007

May 6th, 2008, 01:32 AM

Just received an email back from Nationals transport spokesman

Thank you for your email addressed to the Hon Maurice Williamson MP. He has asked me to let you know that National’s transport policy will be announced later in the year.

Yours sincerely

Bridie Wilkinson

Umm, isn't the election later this year ????

Kane007

May 6th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Well, well, well. After much pressure lambasting the life expectancy of the ancient, decrepit, and agonisingly kiwiana Kopu bridge, transit has bought forward the replacement construction date to mid 2011!

NZ Horrible (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10508302)

TVNZ (http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1765255)

MonsieurAquilone

May 6th, 2008, 10:48 AM

Even 2011 is slow. That one bridge will go down in history for all the idiotic wrangling surrounding it.

jarbury

May 6th, 2008, 10:49 AM

It's a pretty embarrassing piece of infrastructure really. I'm truly amazed that it didn't meet the criteria for an upgrade about 40 years ago.

Milan Luka

May 6th, 2008, 11:23 AM

South Island has its own version, the Awatere Road/Rail Bridge south of Blenheim. Its a beautiful bridge but woefully out of date, love driving over it all the same. Single lane vehicular traffic with a working rail line built above the road. Now this is SH1, and thankfully Transit New Zealand are building a replacement.

http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/projects/Project136_ImageFile3.jpg http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/projects/Project136_ImageFile1.jpg

MonsieurAquilone

May 6th, 2008, 11:28 AM

:lol:

KaneD

May 6th, 2008, 12:08 PM

Do you all realise that SH1 still has 3 fords on it. All are located within a 2 km section of highway north of Kaikoura. Yes, it's rather lonely section of SH1 but nonetheless, an essential part of the highway network. The 3 fords do have a bailey bridge each for flood use but surely they should be properly bridged... after all... we ARE in the year 2008.

Another bridge on SH1 in need of replacement is the Hurunui River in Canterbury. This is also a rather old bridge on a poor alignment etc.

NZer

May 7th, 2008, 03:54 AM

That new Awatere Bridge is finished, I drove over it about three weeks ago.

jarbury

May 7th, 2008, 10:58 PM

Editorial: The logic of building a new bridge
5:00AM Thursday May 08, 2008

Nothing about the Kopu Bridge has ever seemed logical. The 81-year-old structure offers the main access to the Coromandel, a prime holiday destination in a country that prides itself on its tourism appeal. Yet since the 1950s it has been apparent that the one-way bridge could not cope with the volume of traffic to the area. Over summer, especially, tourists suffer infuriating delays of anything up to two hours. The building of a replacement two-lane structure has seemed an obvious priority for many, many years to all except those holding the purse-strings. Now, safety concerns suggest an even more urgent need for a new bridge.

Transit's website says the present structure does not meet modern earthquake standards and is, therefore, vulnerable to natural disasters. Sections could potentially collapse in a moderate earthquake, it says. The warning is particularly apposite because the area sits on the Kerepehi faultline. In response to these concerns, Transit's chief executive, Rick van Barneveld, has pointed out, quite reasonably, that a structure built in 1927 could not be expected to meet modern design and construction standards. Analysis had shown it was likely to withstand an earthquake of between one-in-300-year and one-in-500-year magnitude. The risk of such an earthquake was "quite low", he said.

While Mr van Barneveld's statement may be somewhat reassuring, it must be assessed in terms of the location of the bridge and its importance to the Coromandel economy. The fact remains that a structure sitting in the neighbourhood of a faultline would not withstand anything more than a minor earthquake. This suggests work on a replacement structure should be a matter of high priority.

That makes all the more disappointing Transit's confirmation that construction of a new $32 million bridge will not begin until mid-2011. This has been portrayed as a step forward, but, given that construction will take two to three years, it is, quite simply, not good enough. In the first instance, it extinguishes previous optimism that Transit would get the funding to start the project 12 months earlier.

Secondly, there should be far greater urgency if only to ensure the work does not drift further into the future, as has so often been the case. In 1999, Transit said the bridge would be replaced by 2003. By the latter year, however, it had relegated a new structure to 45th of 54 projects in its 10-year state highway priority plan and pushed the starting date back to 2010-11. The new date places the project at the tail of that schedule, a move which Transit ascribes to more urgent priorities in the Waikato area.

It has always been difficult to conceive what these may be. Safety is just one of several concerns about the bridge. It is a blight on the state highway system in the way it renders meaningless any notions of efficiency and ease of travel. Equally, it is worth pondering the consequences for the Coromandel if the bridge were destroyed by an earthquake. Taking the long alternative route through Paeroa might be almost tolerable for Auckland holiday-makers once a year but is not acceptable in terms of sustaining a regional economy.

The Kopu Bridge has been a national embarrassment for far too long. Any notion of it being a quaint relic disappeared years ago as the volume of traffic to the Coromandel increased. Quite why a replacement structure has not been built has never been clear. If funding is an issue, this could be overcome by extracting a toll from bridge-users. It is a price most tourists would happily pay. Better that than continuing to use a structure that has long been a byword for frustration and now, to boot, is potentially dangerous.

KaneD

May 8th, 2008, 12:23 PM

If the Kopu Bridge was located near wellington - central govt would have forked out for a new one years ago.

the advantage of living near the capital huh?

Moveax

May 8th, 2008, 01:16 PM

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Up until a couple of years ago there was still a 1 lane bridge on SH58 (linking hutt and porirua).

MonsieurAquilone

May 8th, 2008, 01:38 PM

RE. KOPU - I'm almost thinking that they should keep the bridge on the side for historical and laughing purposes. Have the new, modern bridge to its side and allow the Kopu to be a footbridge with informational plaques detailing the humurous history of the bridge. :lol:

Kane007

May 8th, 2008, 01:57 PM

^^ but alas, this will never happen. It will have to be removed as retaining it increases damage during a flood, next door and down stream.

jarbury

May 8th, 2008, 11:13 PM

^^ I thought there were plans to keep it as a pedestrian bridge. The Historic Places Trust were pretty keen on maintaining it for sure, and I agree with them that it does have important heritage value.

I guess flooding and safety issues might make that impossible though.

Ironmanfood

May 9th, 2008, 12:44 AM

If the Kopu Bridge was located near wellington - central govt would have forked out for a new one years ago.

the advantage of living near the capital huh?

hmmmm have you driven through Otaki on a long weekend? That's SH1. Let alone Levin and Waikanae. I'm sure we'd love the equivalent of the Waikato expressway running through Horowhenua and Manawatu.

The Kopu bridge is on an obscure road to a remote peninsular about 100k's away from Auckland.

jarbury

May 9th, 2008, 12:47 AM

^^ I would hardly call the Coromandel Peninsula remote. The Thames-Coromandel District has a permanent population of over 25,000 - and its main linking road with the rest of the country is the Kopu bridge. During holiday periods this number more than doubles. 50,000 or so people with a one lane bridge as its link to the rest of the country? That's pretty crazy.

Ironmanfood

May 9th, 2008, 01:25 AM

That's an exageration, the coromandel has 3 state highways linking it to the rest of the country. Only those on it's west coast wanting to go to Auckland would use the Kopu Bridge. Those on it's east coast would go through Waihi, let alone those going to Hamilton or Tauranga who would use Paeroa/Waihi etc.

Not denying that Kopu bridge needs replacing and it's a bit of a joke that it's still in use. But I would assume the chronic traffic jams is really only roughly a 10 year old problem. With the recent explosion of Auckland holiday homes on the peninsular. NZ infrastructure planning is not flexible enough to have 10 years ago predicted Aucklanders travelling to the Coromandel to mow their lawns ;-) It's hardly critical infrastructure. Looks like Transit are moving it up it's priority schedule to inside it's 10 year plan, so whats the complaint really?

Now Kane's post mentioned roading and it's proximity to the capital. Wellington has only 2 ways in. Both have major obstacles just outside the city limits. The Rimutakas on SH2 and Otaki on SH1.

Wellington's roading corridors could not be described as glittering. Transit has only just removed a level crossing on SH1 just 40kms from Wellington. Next it needs to bypass Otaki town (with a new bridge) - There is only 1 bridge over both the Waikanae and Otaki rivers. This won't happen but instead some slip lanes put into the Otaki roundabout.

jarbury

May 9th, 2008, 01:44 AM

At non-holiday periods, basically everywhere north of Thames would use the Kopu Bridge. My family is from Thames, and I spent all my childhood holidays visiting both Thames and the east coast of the Coromandel. The road from Whangamata through to Waihi is extremely windy and not really a major route fro traffic, so that basically leaves SH2 at Paeroa, which I admit is a pretty good link.

I also know that huge traffic jams have been happening at holiday periods around the Kopu Bridge for a lot longer than 10 years. Within the last 10-15 years those jams have spread to every Sunday afternoon.

To look at Transit's AADT traffic volumes, the Otaki River Bridge has usage of 16,820 in 2004. This compares with 8530 on the Kopu Bridge - almost half of SH1! SH2 through the Rimutakas has a daily volume of 5420, significantly LESS than the Kopu Bridge.

Ironmanfood

May 9th, 2008, 02:44 AM

Cheers. Interesting Transit stats.

BTW. The Otaki Bridge is not the problem. It's the roundabout in the town. But you can't avoid it as it is the only crossing over the river. The only other way is via the Wairarapa. There was a crash on this bridge (or perhaps the Waikanae bridge) a few years ago, it caused chaos.

Other place that desperately needs a bypass is Taupo.

jarbury

May 9th, 2008, 03:05 AM

Agree with you on Taupo that's for sure. There's one planned, not sure when it's supposed to happen though.

From the Transit website:

The Taupo District Council has been developing a scheme for an eastern bypass of Taupo between the SH1/5 junction, north of Wairakei, and SH1, north of Taupo Airport. A designation has already been obtained for this bypass and the Taupo District Council is ready to proceed with design work.
The Taupo District Council proposes to construct the first three stages of the bypass between Taupo Airport and Broadlands Road, with an expectation that Transit will assume responsibility for the fourth stage between Broadlands Road and the SH1/5 junction, including a crossing of the Waikato River. Transit is in discussions with Taupo District Council on alternative funding arrangements for the fourth stage to enable this project to proceed.
At least the designation is in place. It's always a start.

KaneD

May 10th, 2008, 12:15 AM

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Up until a couple of years ago there was still a 1 lane bridge on SH58 (linking hutt and porirua).

Yes, but that bridge was a short bridge over nothing more than a ditch - it didn't generate traffic holdups 2 hours long like the kopu bridge does.

My point was being slightly sarcastic towards the general lack of funding and lack of priorities from those in central government when it comes to building transport infrastructure.

KaneD

May 10th, 2008, 12:22 AM

^^ but alas, this will never happen. It will have to be removed as retaining it increases damage during a flood, next door and down stream.

But if the structure of this bridge makes it a higher risk during flooding... wouldn't that surely have been all the more reason to have it replaced many more years ago?

jarbury

July 1st, 2008, 11:06 PM

Transit announces road improvements
11:03AM Tuesday July 01, 2008

Extra funding means over 40 new road improvement projects will be undertaken around the country over the next year, Transit New Zealand said today.

Transit today released its State Highway Plan and Forecast detailing planned state highway maintenance and capital improvements.

Chief executive Rick van Barneveld said the plan and forecast marked the third year of Transit's five-year plan of works made possible by Budget 2006, which provided $1.3 billion in extra funding for a portfolio of "key deliverable" projects.

Transit planned to start construction on around 45 new road improvement projects.

These would include large projects like the State Highway 2 Waipukurau overbridge realignment in Hawke's Bay and the Akerama Curves realignment in Northland on State Highway 1.

Smaller projects, ranging from new passing lanes and seal widening projects to safety improvements and walking and cycling projects were also in the plan, Mr van Barneveld said.

"Once completed, these projects will make the journeys of thousands of motorists each day safer and easier."

The National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) announced yesterday by Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) showed a record amount would be spent on the country's roads this year.

The NLTP sets out how LTNZ will fund road maintenance, improvement and development. It showed $2.7 billion will be spent on infrastructure and service in 2008/09, $301 million more than in 2007/08.

LTNZ acting chairman Paul Fitzharris yesterday said the funding was allocated for an "ambitious range of projects" and would allow for growth in passenger transport services, and walking and cycling.

The new NLTP includes a $62m increase for passenger transport funding to $325m, $127m increase for state highway construction to $791m, $10m for local road construction to $222m, $13m increase for road policing activities to $273m and $27.6m allocated for a research, education and training programme.

jarbury

July 24th, 2008, 03:39 AM

Bypass bridge a winner on cost and culture
5:00AM Thursday July 24, 2008
By Mathew Dearnaley

Two main bridges - including a sweeping arched structure across the Waikato River at Wairakei - will be built at the top end of Taupo's eastern highway bypass.

Building a single-span bridge will not only satisfy Maori cultural concerns by doing without supporting piers in the water, but will reduce potential environmental damage to the river's banks from scouring during floods.

Taupo District Council project manager Ron Boyle said yesterday an arched bridge designed by successful tenderer Fulton Hogan also turned out to be "the least cost option" for the $110 million project.

Tauhara kaumatua Te Reo Whakakotahi Wall said the river was so sacred to Maori that "we didn't want it interfered with in any way."

He welcomed the council's consultation with hapu representatives, even though he said they were told initially that a bridge without piers would be too costly.

Site preparations for the project, which was first mooted in the 1960s to cater for the town's growth by diverting heavy traffic from its lakefront centre, are now expected to start before Christmas.

That follows the district council's acceptance of a $97.4 million tender from Fulton Hogan, which intends starting main earthworks along the 16km route in about March.

The rest of the project cost, 76.5 per cent of which will be carried by Land Transport NZ and the balance by the council, includes land purchases and initial design.

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper said Fulton's bid was the lowest of three, yet offered a "superior, workable and innovative design."

"The best news for council and our community is that the tender price falls within the budget for the project despite recent big increases in fuel, steel and plastic."

An added bonus was the company's intention to use local subcontractors during the project's four-year term.

Instead of turning right where State Highway 1 now joins the Rotorua-Taupo route, southbound traffic will in future head straight towards the Waikato River via a 430m viaduct over the Wairakei geothermal field next to a Contact Energy power station.

Mr Boyle said the viaduct and the river bridge would be about 400m apart, as building a continuous structure would be too expensive.

The bypass, which will be designated part of SH1, will include roundabouts at Wairakei and the new road's intersection with the Napier-Taupo highway and two smaller bridges at interchanges with Centennial Drive and Broadlands Rd.

jarbury

October 1st, 2008, 05:36 AM

Bypass 'ready for summer holidays'
4:00AM Wednesday Oct 01, 2008
By Mathew Dearnaley

One of the country's most dangerous stretches of highway will become a quiet country road when a 7km bypass of Mangatawhiri on the main route between Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula opens next month.

The winding passage of State Highway 2 east from Mangatawhiri Stream to Maramarua Golf Course - which becomes snarled by up to 25,000 vehicles a day on holiday weekends - will be replaced by a sweeping two-lane road with ample shoulders, and passing lanes at each end.

Although these are shorter than initially planned, pruned back to meet a construction budget of $46 million, Transport Agency project manager Peter Murphy says provision has been made to allow more "passing opportunities" over time.

This has included earthworks for a potential eastbound passing lane to be added to the golf course end of the new road, possibly by the end of next year, in addition to 3.8km of lanes already built.

An underpass has been built beneath the road to reach the golf course, replacing a difficult turnoff from SH2, and the project includes two new bridges to carry local traffic over it.

Three stock underpasses have been built for the 1300ha Marphona Farms, which has had a section severed by the new road.

Although a construction start date announced just before the last election was delayed for a year after initial tenders from contractors came in too high, favourable weather means the new road will open well ahead of its amended target finish of mid-2009.

Mr Murphy said an opening date had yet to be confirmed, pending final sealing and road marking, but it would be before the onslaught of summer-holiday traffic.

That has been welcomed by Mangatawhiri residents, long sickened by the number of crashes over the 34km of SH2 between Pokeno and the Thames turnoff at Mangatarata, which have claimed 28 lives and seriously injured 56 people since 2003.

"Too many lives have been lost," said Jane Holmes, a farmer on Lyons Rd off one of the highway's most dangerous bends, on the western side of Mangatawhiri.

"It's scary for us and we are locals - we don't overtake on the highway."

Fellow farmer and Mangatawhiri Hall Committee chairman Peter Young was pleased the road-builders added an on-ramp to the western end of the project, after pressure from residents concerned they would otherwise have to back-track to the golf course to reach the new road.

But he believed the Mangatawhiri Stream Bridge, just to the west of the project, should have been duplicated to cope with traffic speeding down the new road towards it.

That concern is shared by Mangatangi Volunteer Fire Bridge chief Don Shanks, whose team has had to attend fewer crashes over the past year while construction-related speed limits were in place on the old highway.

"They've kept the speed down through the old road, but how will they keep it down on the deviation [new bypass]?"

Mr Murphy confirmed the open road speed limit of 100km/h would extend to the bypass, but said the Mangatawhiri bridge met width specifications for state highways.

Even so, he said the agency would considering widening it at some stage, as part of a continuing review of opportunities for upgrading the full 34km stretch of highway to Mangatarata.

jarbury

October 9th, 2008, 09:32 PM

Transport projects face biggest hit from Nats' pruning
4:00AM Friday Oct 10, 2008
By Mathew Dearnaley

Roads and other transport projects will take the biggest hit from an $800 million easing of National's proposed spend-up on infrastructure.

The party said yesterday it would leave intact a plan to borrow and spend $1.5 billion on faster internet broadband over six years, while cutting its overall extra investment on infrastructure to $3.7 billion in response to bleak economic prospects.

That compares with a promise by National leader John Key in August to raise Government loans of $750 million for each of six years for infrastructure, amounting to $4.5 billion.

He announced a new category then of "roads of national significance" such as State Highway 1 which would be central to National's investment plans, and a streamlined consenting process for priority projects.

But keeping the broadband roll-out means the extra amount for roads and other infrastructure will shrink from $3 billion to $2.2 billion.

National's decision to ease back the throttle after the Government's forecast of 10 years of Budget deficits is alarming contractors and infrastructure financiers.

Contractors' Federation chief executive Richard Michael fears it will limit the economic stimulation at which National is aiming its tax cuts.

"Infrastructure is one of the building blocks of the economy and should be the last thing to be cut," he said.

The Council for Infrastructure Development is similarly disappointed, although it sees an increasing role for private investment in roads and railways to supplement direct Government funding.

"We would hate to see the focus on cost management and cost reduction once again inhibiting and limiting New Zealand's ability to grow and expand its economy," said chief executive Stephen Selwood. He said New Zealand faced a funding gap of $15 billion just for transport projects, of which he saw the highest priority as the $1.89 billion pair of motorway tunnels through Waterview on Auckland's western ring route bypass.

The cost of that alone could rise to $2.14 billion - almost as much as National's extra funding allocation from transport loans - if a Transport Agency study after submissions from business and motoring groups concludes the tunnels should be made wide enough for three traffic lanes in each direction, rather than just two.

The infrastructure council's wish-list includes $6.85 billion of new roads, $4.2 billion of rail development and the $4 billion set of motorway and train tunnels proposed for Auckland's next Waitemata crossing.

Mr Selwood said even if the harbour tunnels and new rail links beneath central Auckland and to the airport were deferred past 2018, an $8 billion transport funding gap would exist, needing about $700 million for each of 30 years for loan repayments.

But despite the global credit crunch, he said infrastructure remained attractive to private investors, particularly for superannuation funds seeking higher security than offered by other sectors.

Green Party spokesman Keith Locke questioned the security of investments in new roads at a time of uncertainty over cheap oil supplies.

He said public transport was a far safer proposition to cater for growing numbers of people needing to find cheaper ways of getting around.

KIWIKAAS

October 9th, 2008, 09:45 PM

[B]
Mr Selwood said even if the harbour tunnels and new rail links beneath central Auckland and to the airport were deferred past 2018, an $8 billion transport funding gap would exist, needing about $700 million for each of 30 years for loan repayments..

If that all gets deferred then Auckland has a real problem. The Airport line can be shelved for now as I don't see demand increasing for many years to come but the underground loop needs to happen now.
In 2018 NZ won't be able to afford these projects.

jarbury

October 9th, 2008, 09:55 PM

I think once electrification is actually happening, there will be a big push for the CBD loop. Remember that the loop is impossible without electrification....

KingKong1

October 9th, 2008, 11:14 PM

All this means is less roads than National was going to build anyway... I can see Maurice sulking at his desk right now.

jarbury

October 10th, 2008, 12:33 AM

Oh dear poor Maurice. I feel so sorry for him. What's he going to have wet dreams over now?

Brizzy-Mike

October 10th, 2008, 05:06 AM

His motorbikes I suppose

jarbury

October 21st, 2008, 12:25 AM

Key pledges Waikato expressway completion in 10 years
8:57AM Tuesday Oct 21, 2008
By Claire Trevett

National has said it will complete the Waikato Expressway within 10 years at a cost of $790m.

The funding is above the amount already committed by the government and would involve three extra legs to the project, including the Huntly and Cambridge bypasses.

National leader John Key said at the announcement at Te Rapa, Hamilton today: "I want to stress there will be no tolls on this road."

National would pay for the project from its previously outlined $3.7 billion infrastructure borrowing programme, he said.

The expressway is made up of eight sections. Two have been completed and, of the remaining six, only three are on Land Transport New Zealand's work programme for the next decade.

Mr Key said National would give the road priority treatment in a bid to boost economic growth in the region.

He claimed the moves would reduce the journey time from Mercer to Cambridge by 20 minutes and save millions of litres is reduced fuel consumption.

"it will reduce costs and travel time between Auckland and Hamilton as well as between Auckland and Tauranga," he said.

Mr Key also delivered a mild rebuke to his transport spokesman Maurice Williamson who yesterday again raised the issue of road tolls.

Mr key said this was 'premature" and said he was the party leader and he would make the decisions on which roads would be tolled if National formed the next government.

- with NZPA
Gah more roads spending.