Work has kicked off on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), the first out of a pipeline of 17 major roading projects across the country.
The RoNS were highlighted as part of the $22 billion Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024. The Hawke’s Bay Expressway RoNS will four-lane the critical corridor that carries 29,000 vehicles a day and links freight to Napier Port – the country’s fourth largest by container volume.
In addition to the expressway, seven new RoNS projects will begin procurement, enabling works and construction in the next three years.
Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is already underway, Ōtaki to North of Levin will begin construction next year, and the Northland Expressway is currently undergoing geotechnical work.
“The Government is keeping its promise to New Zealanders to deliver a new generation of RoNS across the country that reduce congestion, unlock land for thousands of new houses, and boost economic growth as we rebuild the economy to reduce the cost of living,” Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Delivering the infrastructure this country needs is a key part of our plan to rebuild the economy and boost productivity. “
The Hawke’s Bay Expressway project is set to tackle the area’s growing population and economy which meant that the central section of the road was reaching capacity at peak times.
“Starting work now allows the NZTA to maximise the 2025/2026 construction season and bring forward the construction of this project by 12 to 15 months,” Brown says.
“Four-laning the Hawke’s Bay Expressway will unleash national and regional economic growth and productivity by reducing travel times, increasing resilience, and improving safety for motorists.
“The Hawke’s Bay Expressway was critical to the resilience of the region during Cyclone Gabrielle, with other routes being cut off. This Road of National Significance will increase capacity, resilience, support residential growth, and provide a boost to the local economy by helping move freight more quickly to the Napier Port,” he says.
NZTA is prioritising the Taradale Rd to Pākowhai Rd section of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway as it is the most congested part of the road, and will help ensure more reliable journey times for commuters and freight operators in the Bay.
“The RoNS projects previously built by National are some of New Zealand’s most successful State Highway corridors, reducing congestion and improving safety. Moving at pace to build a new generation of RoNS signals our Government’s focus on prioritising investments that deliver real value to commuters and businesses,” Brown says.
