Funding has been allocated to the Awakino Tunnel bypass, Mt Messenger bypass, and the Motu and Opawa Bridge replacements.
These projects will support economic growth, road safety and more predictable journeys for people in these regions.
The two largest of these projects – the bypasses of Mt Messenger and the Awakino Gorge Tunnel in Taranaki – are new projects that were not envisaged when the regional roading package was announced in 2014.
The northern gateway into Taranaki is a key freight link with the Waikato, so the Mt Messenger and the Awakino Gorge bypasses, along with other planned safety improvements, will ensure this important stretch of road supports the on-going economic growth of Taranaki.
Funding has also been allocated to the Motu Bridge, the only one-lane bridge on State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Opotiki, and the Opawa Bridge on State Highway 1 – north of Blenheim.
Currently, when the Motu Bridge is closed people are forced to travel an extra two hours via the East Cape along State Highway 5, causing delays for freight and the local farming community.
A new two-lane bridge will not only improve safety, but also provide more predictable and reliable travel times. This will strengthen the region’s primary link with the Bay of Plenty and help boost economic growth and productivity on the East Coast.
Construction is also planned for a new Opawa Bridge that will be wider and more durable to allow for fewer delays and road closures on this important gateway to Blenheim.
Improving the safety and reliability our roads is a real priority for the NZ Government, and projects like these will help to ensure that the land transport system is safe and effective for all.