Feedback on toll roads
The NZTA is seeking public feedback on separate proposals to toll three new state highways on the North Island.
Public consultation on proposed schemes for the Takitimu North Link, Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway and Otaki to north of Levin is open from September 9 to October 7.
Assessments by the agency have shown tolling is feasible for each of these roads and the Minister of Transport has agreed that development of tolling schemes should progress to the consultation stage.
“Consultation material includes details on the potential toll rates for light and heavy vehicles for each of the new roads, as well as expected travel time savings for drivers and freight vehicles,” says Brett Gliddon, the NZTA’s group general manager of transport services.
“After the public has had an opportunity to provide feedback, all submissions and feedback collected will be summarised, providing insights into the level of community support for the proposed tolling schemes in each region.
“The NZTA’s board will consider the results of the consultation and may then recommend tolling to the minister. The final decision on whether or not to toll each road rests with cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport.
“The National Land Transport Fund ([NLTF] is under increasing pressure to fund transport improvements and increasing road-maintenance costs across the country.
“Tolling provides an opportunity for an additional source of revenue to support major infrastructure projects, bringing efficiency, safety and resiliency benefits to the transport network.
“The NZTA assesses all new state highways and significant upgrades to existing state highways for tolling suitability.
“Revenue from tolling can provide another funding option for building, maintenance and operations of road infrastructure, reducing reliance on the NLTF and protecting existing funding for other investment in the transport system”
The government policy statement on land transport (GPS) introduces a new expectation for the NZTA to consider tolling to support the construction and maintenance of all new roads, including the roads of national significance.
Gliddon adds: “The government has been clear through the GPS that they will support all recommendations by the NZTA to toll roads.
“Tolling will play a key role in the delivery of roads of national and regional significance programmes, as part of a wider package of transport revenue and investment tools.
“Revenue from tolling must be used for costs associated with the new road from which it is collected. Revenue can be used for activities associated with the planning, design, construction, operations or maintenance of the road, and may include repayment of loans for building the road.”
The aim is to deliver the Takitimu North Link in two stages – a new 6.8km four-lane divided highway, which will connect Tauranga and Te Puna and is scheduled to open 2028, followed by extending the expressway a further 7km to Omokoroa.
The project objectives of Takitimu North Link are to improve safety, efficiency and travel time reliability, and support sub-regional growth and development in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Construction on the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway, which will replace the old Manawatu Gorge Road, started in early 2021.
It is a new a 11.5km, 100kph, four-lane divided highway built over the Ruahine Range to provide a safe, resilient, and efficient route between Woodville and Ashhurst. The highway is due to be completed in mid-2025.
Otaki to north of Levin is a new 24km four-lane divided highway. It is being built to create a safer and more reliable SH1 from Otaki to north of Levin. Construction will start late 2025 and be completed 2029.
