Extensive repairs soon on Otago's highways

The Government is to repair or renew nearly 400km of state highway in Otago and Southland this...
The Government is to repair or renew nearly 400km of state highway in Otago and Southland this summer. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Nearly 400km of roading in Otago and Southland is to be repaired or renewed this summer as part of the largest nationwide state highway maintenance programme the Government has yet conducted.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced yesterday $155million would be spent repairing or renewing about 1200km of New Zealand's state highways (almost the equivalent length of New Zealand) during the 2019-20 summer season.

Of the 1200km to be repaired, 276.3km of state highway would be done in Otago - the second highest amount in the country behind Waikato, which will have 430.7km repaired.

Southland will have 119km repaired.

A NZ Transport Agency spokesman said the repairs would cover most of the state highway network in Otago and Southland, "with different lengths - some short, some longer - in many different places".

"These are driven by the need to keep the highway safe for road users - for example, to maintain traction in wet weather - and by the need to extend the highway's life so it continues to perform well until a full highway reconstruction is programmed and needed."

He said the work was subject to a robust asset management system and was prioritised based on key factors such as safety and sound, value for money and asset management.

Mr Twyford said road maintenance expenditure had "flat-lined" over the past nine years, while the cost of labour and materials had grown by 12% and traffic by 15%.

He said the Government was now addressing the maintenance backlog caused by underinvestment.

"Last year, NZTA delivered its biggest recorded programme of road maintenance and is on track to deliver 60% more renewals compared to under the previous government - that's around 350km more a year.

"We're taking a balanced approach and spending more on roads than the last government, but also more on public transport, rail, and walking and cycling infrastructure.

"Making sure our roads are up to scratch is just one part of what we're doing to keep Kiwis safe while travelling."

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