NZ Govt invests $24.3B in transport services and infrastructure
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The New Zealand Government is investing in transport services and infrastructure through the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), getting the country moving by reducing emissions and supporting economic recovery.
Transport Minister Michael Wood stated that the NLTP outlines the planned investments Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will make over the next three years. The NLTP is also expected to help with economic recovery by supporting thousands of jobs.
“With local government, we’ll be investing a record $24.3 billion into transport services and infrastructure over the next three years – a 44 per cent increase compared to the last three years and 75 per cent more than the previous government,” Minister Wood said.
“Our Government has listened to the concerns of local government and communities and we have stepped in to provide $2 billion of financing to boost road maintenance and public transport. We couldn’t accept our roads deteriorating.”
Aside from improving transport services and infrastructure under the NLTP, a further $1.3 billion will be used to implement the NZ Rail Plan and $30 million to support coastal shipping.
Safety remains a top priority for the NZ Government as $2.9 billion has been invested in their road safety plan Road to Zero. This will include making 17 high-risk state highway corridors safer, with 51 intersection improvements, 25 new roundabouts, and 164kms of safety barriers.
Over $7 billion will also be used to renew around 7,000 lane kilometres of state highway and 18,000 lane kilometres of local roads.
“Our transport network is increasingly being impacted by severe weather events as a result of climate change, so on top of our road maintenance investments, a further $3.9 billion will be spent on road improvements that will help connect communities, ensure the reliable movement of freight and improve resilience across the country. This will see important projects like Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway and the Waikato Expressway completed,” Michael Wood said.
SOURCE: BEEHIVE.GOVT.NZ MEDIA RELEASE
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
