The package of projects throughout the regions will contribute to a safer and more resilient transport network and will support regional development.

As part of the NZ Upgrade Programme, funding has been allocated to thirteen state highway projects. The projects will address key challenges our regional state highway networks face including safety risks, resilience and congestion problems, accessibility and travel time reliability. The projects will also support regional economic development.

Northland

SH1/11 Kawakawa roundabout and resilience project

Cost: $6m
Project completed: 2021

This project replaced the existing intersection with a roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 1 and 11 in Kawakawa. The primary benefit of this change is to improve safety and traffic flow. This intersection is a key connector on the Twin Coast Discovery Route which is included as a priority route in Te Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan.

Find out more about the SH1/11 Kawakawa project

SH11/10 Intersection Puketona Junction roundabout

Cost: $12.4m
Project completed: 2021

This project involved the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 10 and 11 at Puketona Junction. The primary benefit of this change is to increase the level of road safety and improve traffic flow. The project is expected to indirectly contribute to Northland’s economic development plan through improved infrastructure attracting more visitors to the region.

Find out more about the SH11/10 Puketona Junction project

SH12 and Rawene Road intersection improvements

Cost: $500K
Project completed: 2021

This project has improved the State Highway 12 and Rawene Road intersection, through fit for purpose safety improvements and accommodation of additional right turning capacity. The intersection in the past had a known crash history and the funding has improved its safety. The intersection is a key gateway for community and visitors accessing the Hokianga Harbour ferry. The funding has improved the reliability and resilience of the road and reduced disruption.

Find out more about the SH12 Rawene Rd project

Bay of Plenty

SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotaha improvements, SH36 and SH5 roundabout

Cost: $11.5m
Project completed: 2022

This project has improved safety and reduce congestion at the roundabout intersection between State Highways 5 and 36. The funding has improved safety, eased congestion and enhanced accessibility. The programme of work also included standard safety improvements along 8.1km of State Highway 5.

Find out more about the SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotaha improvements

Hawke’s Bay

SH2 College Road to Silverstream Station

Cost: $12.4m
Project completed: 2023

This project is for vertical and horizontal curve realignment and the addition of a passing lane along a 1.7 km section of SH2 north of Waipukurau in Central Hawke’s Bay. It has improved the efficiency and safety of this key freight route between Hawke’s Bay, the Manawatū and Tairāwhiti and has improved the connection to Napier Port. This project supports regional economic growth by reducing travel times, improving access and efficiencies for moving people and goods along this key route.

Find out more about the SH2 College Road to Silverstream project

SH2 Tahaenui Bridge

Cost: $2.2m
Project completed: 2021

This project upgraded the Tahaenui Bridge on SH2 between Wairoa and Gisborne to allow two-lane travel. The funding has enabled the bridge to be widened for two-way travel and has improved the roading network access and efficiency for those travelling between Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

Previously this bridge was the only one-lane restriction on the important link between Gisborne and Napier Port.

Taranaki

SH43 Forgotten World Highway improvements

Cost: $14.9m

This project will improve SH43, the Forgotten World Highway. The upgrades include safety improvements, passing opportunities, a single-lane bridge upgrade and culvert replacements.

The improvements will provide resilience for the Central North Island’s transport network, as an important alternative to SH 3 between Taranaki and the Upper North Island.

The Forgotten World Highway is promoted as a tourist destination.

Combined with PGF funded sealing of the unsealed section of the Tangarakau Gorge, the improvements are expected to drive GDP gains into Taranaki of up to $45 million over 40 years.

The projects are forecast to increase visitor numbers to Taranaki by around 13,000 annually.

West Coast

SH67 Granity

Cost: $2.2m

This project provides protection to a section of SH67 between Granity and Ngakawau.

In the past this highway suffered frequent coastal erosion and is an important link to the northern West Coast of the South Island. This project has improved the security and resilience of the highway for the local community, and for freight supplies and rural services in the region. The funding was for work on the bridge abutments to protect the highway.

SH6 Tatare Bridge Franz Josef safety improvements

Cost: $1.2m
Project completed: 2021

This project improved safety and access to the 130 metre long single lane bridge to Franz Josef.

The funding provided hand-rails and provision for separate pedestrian and cycle use.

The upgrade included the installation of guard-rail edge protection over the bridge and a clip-on pedestrian and cycle walkway.

The clip-on reused an existing clip-on structure removed from the Taramakau combined bridge that was removed when the new separated road bridge was opened in 2018.

The project has improved user-experience for locals and tourists by addressing safety risks and improving traffic flows.

West Coast state highway single-lane bridges safety improvements

Cost: $4.0m
Project completed: 2023

This project has seen compliant guardrail installed on five single lane bridges throughout the West Coast network.

The improved bridges are:

  • SH73 Taipo River (timber railing)
  • SH6 Mikonui River (timber railing)
  • SH6 Wanganui River (timber rail only, approach guardrail only)
  • SH6 Moeraki River (pipe rail)
  • SH6 Gates of Haast (pipe rail).

Find out more about the West Coast state highway single-lane bridges safety improvements

Canterbury

SH8, SH79, SH80 Mackenzie Basin pull-over areas

Cost: $5m
Project completed: 2022

This project has provided safe stopping areas to maximise the tourism potential of the Mackenzie Basin.

The funding has provided:

  • a number of safety and access improvements
  • increased capacity at existing rest areas
  • new rest areas at scenic locations
  • upgraded existing rest areas
  • better signage
  • directional arrows
  • edge protection
  • tourism information
  • intersection improvements
  • road widening and passing locations.

The upgrades have provided safer places to pull over to rest and enjoy the views of the Mackenzie Basin.

Find out more about the SH8, SH79, SH80 Mackenzie Basin pull-over areas

Otago

SH1 Kakanui flood protection improvements

Cost: $5.3m

This project is to improve flood mitigation at the Kakanui River flood plain in Otago.

The project will raise a 200-metre section of the state highway and involves the installation of a series of culverts.

The works are located on SH1 in Otago, north of Kakanui River and south of Oamaru.

This will help avoid the flood closures that occur every two to three years.

There is no effective or reliable detour route during flood events and road closures can last up to two days.

The project is expected to indirectly contribute to regional economic development because the improvements will reduce the frequency of road closures due to flooding.

Find out more about the SH1 Kakanui flood protection improvements

SH6–SH8B Junction Cromwell intersection upgrade

Cost: $5.4m
Project completed: 2023

The project involved the design and construction of a new single-lane roundabout to replace the existing intersection.

Before this project this intersection had a high level of safety issues with serious injury crashes, with the safety record worsening in the years before the roundabout’s construction. 

The new roundabout will improve safety at an intersection where serious injury crashes have been on the rise and is expected to contribute to the regional economic development plan with the safety risks being addressed and traffic flow being improved.