The National Road Carriers Association is welcoming roading improvements for Northland and the Horowhenua but says more needs to be done.
Plans announced by the New Zealand Transport Agency include safety upgrades and new highways between Whangarei and Te Hana in the north and from Otaki to north of Levin.
Roadside barriers, median barriers, centre line widening and improved road marking are all part of the upgrades.
The NZ Transport Agency says it will “future proof” the highways for a total of four lanes however this is “dependent on growth and on the prioritisation of projects across the country”.
National Road Carriers chief executive David Aitken says it’s “great news improvements are being made around safety”.
“But the bigger picture is the need for a four-lane highway all the way between Whangarei and Auckland, if the projected growth in freight from Northport to Auckland is correct.
Meanwhile, NZTA says it will announce the route of the Levin expressway which will bypass the town, early next year.
“We all know this area has been a bottleneck for decades,” Aitken says.
“NZTA is talking about just two lanes, but once again traffic volumes and population growth support the need for four lanes.”
Aitken says New Zealand has a history of making roading improvements and then returning a few years later to make more upgrades in the same area.
“A classic case is what is happening in the Te Kauwhata area at the moment. A few years ago, it was made three lanes. Now they are doing four lanes.”
Aitken says future proofing is “nice” but we “need actual dates and the knowledge they’re going to get on with it”.
“NZTA has already said nothing will happen between Warkworth and Wellsford before 2030 apart from current safety improvements.”
In Northland, the project would open up the area to more investment and growth, Aitken says.
