Two leading national industry bodies are supporting Northland’s roading infrastructure drive.
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand interim chief executive Dom Kalasih, and Nick Leggett, chief executive of Infrastructure New Zealand, are backing the Northland Corporate Group report for critical infrastructure investment in Northland.
Recognising the economic potential that lies untapped in the region, both organisations are urging the Government to prioritise the upgrade of State Highway 1 (SH1) between Whangarei and Auckland.
The report by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) quantifies the immense economic advantages of upgrading the vital roading link between Auckland and Northland. It underscores the necessity of a four-lane expressway to facilitate seamless connectivity between the two regions, emphasising the potential for significant economic growth, reduced travel times and operating costs, and enhanced safety.
“The current state of Northland’s highway network acts as a significant barrier to economic growth in the region,” Dom Kalasih says.
“Transporting heavy freight through Northland can be perilous and this inhibits Northport’s ability to service Auckland. However, with strategic infrastructure investments, billions of dollars in economic potential could be unlocked, benefiting not only Northland but also the wider country.”
Infrastructure New Zealand and Transporting New Zealand acknowledge the Government’s designation of SH1 as a Road of National Significance and its commitment to upgrading the highway. However, they believe that further commitments are necessary to fully realise the economic benefits of a wholesale upgrade of the route.
“The case for a Northland Expressway is about backing Northland to succeed, but it’s also about resilience and the growth of Auckland,” Nick Leggett says.
“Our regions can’t sit in splendid isolation, they need resilient 21st century connections to our major centres. We believe the Government should fast-track the commitments they have already made for SH1 through Northland.”
Those commitments include the construction of a four-lane highway alternative to the Brynderwyns and the extension of four-lane upgrades from Warkworth to Whangarei.
Transporting New Zealand and Infrastructure New Zealand support the Northland Corporate Group in its recommendation that the Government commit to a four-lane expressway along the entire length of SH1 to Auckland, with a vision of enhancing accessibility to Northland by 2040.
“We agree that it’s time to empower the north and unleash its economic potential for the benefit of its communities and New Zealand. The Government should push hard and deliver a comprehensive expressway through public private partnerships to get the entire route completed faster and to a high standard,” say Kalasih and Leggett.
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is a national industry association representing 1,200 individual road freight transport companies (a combined fleet of 14,000 vehicles) that are committed to delivering all types of goods to ensure the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Infrastructure New Zealand is Aotearoa’s peak membership organisation for the infrastructure sector. We promote best practice in national infrastructure development through research, advocacy, and public and private sector collaboration. We promote public and media discussion on issues of importance to the infrastructure sector. Our membership is comprised of around 140 organisations, including government agencies, consultants, contractors, financiers, utilities, and academics. These organisations employ approximately 150,000 people in infrastructure-related roles and are united in their commitment to creating a better New Zealand through outstanding infrastructure.
Contacts:
Dom Kalasih
Interim Chief Executive, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
021 441 4309
Nick Leggett
Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand
021 248 2175
