Waitaki District Council will receive $5.2 million of funding from the programme while Queenstown Lakes will pick up $11.8 million of funding.
The programme aims to demonstrate what is possible for communities across New Zealand, by quickly providing people with more transport options, and making it easier to travel in ways that are good for everyone and the environment.
The funding is part of the Transport Choices package included within the Climate Emergency Response Fund.
Waitaki District Council roading manager Mike Harrison said the "Let’s get Oamaruvian" research paper on school accessibility identified the safety and perceived safety of the highway were key issues for parents using cars instead of other modes of transport.
The $5.2 million is allocated towards State Highway 1 intersections and crossings upgrades across four sites in Oamaru.
The upgrades comprise Junction intersection (Awamoa Rd, Wansbeck St, Severn St and Towey St), Arundel St/Regina Lane, Frome St/Caledonian Rd and Redcastle Rd.
Transport Choices funding is indicative until Waka Kotahi works with councils to explore how projects can be progressed in line with Transport Choices timeframes.
Funding allocations may be adjusted after this consultation.
Thames Highway will receive an upgraded shared walking and cycling path on SH1’s west side from Orwell St to Redcastle Rd.
The remaining $500,000 for the shared walking and cycling path in Ardgowan Rd remains in discussion.
Mr Harrison said the funding would help a lot of areas in the community — around accessibility, pedestrian crossings, safety around schools and the difficulties around turning on and off the highway from local roads.
The money for the Queenstown Lakes District Council will be split two ways.
There will be $10.3 million to progress improvements to the Arthurs Pt-to-Queenstown route and $1.5 million to further appraise options to improve active travel links in Wanaka.
Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers said the funding was a welcome boost to improving opportunities for people to walk and cycle for their daily commute.
"Getting people out of their cars and using other ways of getting around is crucial to keeping our transport network functioning well.
"This funding will support us in providing more transport options and make it easier to travel in ways that are good for all of us and our environment," Mr Lewers said.
The Central Otago District Council received $270,000 under the programme.
Its two projects are for investigation of a clip-on structure and cycleway links on the State Highway 8 bridge over the Clutha River in Alexandra.
It is also investigating a Cromwell CBD legal road to formalise links through service lanes and car parking.
Southland District Council applied jointly with Invercargill City Council (ICC) for funding for four projects, with ICC the lead applicant.
One of these was successful — improvements to core cycling-user facilities such as bike stands, e-bike chargers and other bike-related activities.
The Dunedin City Council will use funds from the programme for items such as super bus stops, encouraging children to walk to school and improving road safety.
The National Party has criticised the programme, saying the fund allocations have been given to electorates of Labour MPs.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will now work with successful councils in a two-stage process.
The first stage is to further refine and appraise project proposals, followed by construction of selected projects in 2023.
