Transport minister Simon Bridges has announced an $812 million package for reinstating State Highway 1 between Picton and Christchurch as part of Budget 2017.
“The Government’s priority is to restore the pre-earthquake transport links to Kaikoura and its surrounding communities, and ensure these vital links are resilient for the long term,” Bridges says.
“The corridor is planned to reopen before the end of 2017 with funding to be provided over the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years for work to continue after the route reopens.
The Budget will also make funding available for KiwiRail to continue reinstatement work, while its insurance claim is finalised, Bridges says.
“The total cost of reinstating the road and rail corridors is now estimated to be between $1.1 and $1.33 billion. This is still a very large amount, and reflects there are a number of uncertainties when dealing with damage and destruction of this scale.
“More than $45 million of work has already been completed since last November’s earthquake, including clearing slips and obstructions, undertaking geotechnical assessments, and reinstating rail track.”
Additionally, The New Zealand Transport Agency is considering additional improvements to the coastal corridor, which could see a further investment of up to $240 million from the National Land Transport Fund, he says.
