A total of $1.4 billion is to be spent on the region's roads over the next four years, with most of that going to big-ticket items in the Manawatū/Horowhenua area. Photo / NZME
A total of $1.4 billion is to be spent on the region's roads over the next four years, with most of that going to big-ticket items in the Manawatū/Horowhenua area. Photo / NZME
Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall says big-ticket roading projects across the wider Manawatū / Whanganui region will be hugely beneficial for the district.
A total of $1.3 billion is to be invested in the region over the next three years, but most of that will be centred around areas outside ofWhanganui.
The details of the Government's investment in the region were revealed in the latest National Land Transport Plan, detailing transport investments across the country.
That includes a pool of $817 million going towards the four-lane highway from Ōtaki to north of Levin as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.
The second-biggest investment includes a forecasted total of $661m to be put towards the Te Ahu a Turanga project - a new highway currently under construction that will connect Manawatū to Hawke's Bay after the Manawatū Gorge was closed indefinitely in 2017.
Closer to Whanganui, the most significant investments will include the continuation of work on State Highway 4, improving the road by reducing the risk of slips and washouts.
The plan has also outlined investigative work to be completed at various sites across the region that are at risk of flooding, including vulnerable areas of State Highway 3 near Whangaehu.
Improving safety on the region's roads is also one of the key focuses of the next three years of investment.
In and around Bulls, safety upgrades are planned for both State Highway 1 and 3, and a speed review will also be undertaken on the busy corridor.
Whanganui will also get further investment in cycling infrastructure after a number of projects were completed in the last funding period, including the Ūpokongaro cycle bridge.
Te Tuaiwi, or the Spine, the three-metre-wide shared pathway in Whanganui, will be linked up to several other shared pathways through various extensions, which Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said would "encourage active travel to and from the river, the town centre and the suburbs".
The Government is continuing investment into SH4 - a longtime trouble spot for slips and washouts. Photo / NZME
McDouall said while the big-ticket items weren't necessarily centred in or around Whanganui, they would prove hugely beneficial for the region.
"I wouldn't say that there's nothing in there for Whanganui - both the Manawatū Gorge project and the four lanes north of Ōtaki is huge for Whanganui," McDouall said.
"But there is some money there for State Highway 4, and that's key. If there's one priority I would say it has to be State Highway 4."
McDouall said in the coming years there would be a greater focus on big-ticket investment in Whanganui, such as the Dublin St bridge, which will require replacement soon.
"That's probably five or six years off in terms of building a business case and getting the funding, but you can see the Government's priorities are on larger projects."
Whanganui MP Steph Lewis told the Chronicle the funding areas announced in the plan struck the right balance between the development of new projects and improving our current infrastructure.
"What I get enquiries about in terms of the transport area is mainly roading repairs and safety, so it's great to see that maintenance and safety work continuing to progress over the coming years.
"It's also really good to see the Government putting more money into active transport measures such as walking and cycling."
Rangitīkei MP Ian McKelvie agreed the broad outline of the plan was the right one.
"Obviously Ōtaki to Levin is critical, particularly for this part of the country. They took me for a bit of a look at the Manawatū Gorge a while ago too, and it's actually progressing quite quickly.
"From a local perspective, the Government hasn't interfered with progress, which is a good thing.
"I think locally we're in quite good space, but nationally, I'm not sure that the direction is quite how it should be."
Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson was contacted for comment.
