As Upper North Island freight volumes are projected to grow by 50% in the next 25 years the New Zealand Transport Agency says its key priority is to move more freight on fewer trucks.
Freight volumes in the top half of New Zealand may increase even more than this with Auckland freight volumes alone estimated to grow by around 70%.
The conclusion of strengthening work of the Kopurererua stream bridge on State Highway 29, outside of Tauranga, has opened the route to high productivity motor vehicles (HPMVs).
It is a key link in New Zealand’s high productivity freight network says the NZTA.
The opening of the route is a major step in the Agency’s priority of moving more freight on fewer trucks says Freight portfolio director Harry Wilson.
“HPMVs undertake 10-20% fewer trips to move the same amount of freight as standard trucks. Moving more freight using fewer trucks is good for everyone, from the freight operators to other road users, and local communities,” says Wilson.
NZTA has already approved more than 2,000 kilometres of HPMV routes across the state highway network and continues to assess and upgrade new routes to extend the network.
