The Government is investing $3 million to help make State Highways on key tourist routes in Otago, Southland and the West Coast safer this summer, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“About $1 million will be spent in each region on road safety works such as no-passing lines, 'keep left' arrows, rest area and curve sign upgrades, and new safety barriers,” Mr Foss says.

The improvements are part of the Visiting Drivers Project’s $15 million road safety engineering programme announced in October.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has turned the sod to mark the start of construction on the West Coast’s new Taramakau Bridge, a $25.8 million investment in the region.

The new bridge, between Greymouth and Kumara Junction on State Highway 6, is part of the Government’s Accelerated Regional Roading Package, announced in 2014 to speed up the delivery of transport projects considered important to regions.

Simple mistakes on our roads are costing too many lives, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Sadly and frustratingly, 308 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends have died on our roads so far this year,” Mr Foss says.

“Speed and alcohol continue to be major contributing factors. Last year, 90 people died in crashes involving alcohol and 101 died while travelling too fast for the conditions.

Cabinet has agreed to reinstate the coastal route to Kaikoura and will provide additional funding to speed up the process, Transport Minister Simon Bridges has announced.

The existing State Highway 1 and rail corridor along the coastal route to the north and south of Kaikoura will be rebuilt, with additional improvements to increase safety and resilience.

A $1 million upgrade of Whangarei Airport is now complete, allowing the airport to host more passengers and accommodate larger aircraft, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says.

Inside the terminal, upgrades include additional seating space for passengers, new bathrooms, and a larger internal baggage claim area.

Outside, there are more taxi ranks and footpaths, and the pathways have been upgraded to ensure pedestrians and motorists stay safe. There is also a second airport entry and a car park extension.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has made some appointments to the Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Board.

Commercial law partner, Kylie van Heerden, has been appointed as a new member.

“Ms van Heerden has experience advising clients on corporate and commercial matters, including company compliance and governance. Her appointment will bring commercial legal skills and an injection of fresh energy to this Board,” Mr Bridges says.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has officially opened the first section of Auckland’s largest cycling and walking route. 

The Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive cycleway is a four-metre-wide, shared path that provides a safe and convenient route between Glen Innes and St Heliers and connects the community to different public transport options.

Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Simon Bridges have turned the sod on the first section of the long awaited Pūhoi to Wellsford Road.

The Puhoi to Warkworth road will be a new 18.5km motorway between Auckland and Northland. It is the first section of the Pūhoi to Wellsford Road to get underway, one of the Government’s Roads of National Significance.

Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Simon Bridges have helped celebrate the start of construction on a long sought intersection upgrade in Auckland’s Northwest.

A new roundabout in the township of Waimauku will replace the current intersection on State Highway 16 and Muriwai Road, making it a safer environment for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists.

A new Land Transport Rule will help increase efficiency and ease congestion on our roads by enabling trucks to carry more freight, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

The new Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) rule makes small adjustments to the rules covering height, width and weight limits for trucks and some buses.

“Maximising the potential of our heavy vehicle fleet will increase capacity and improve productivity across the transport sector,” Mr Foss says.

The first of four safety improvement projects on State Highway 3 between Hamilton and Te Kuiti is now underway, Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced today.

The $4.8 million project between Ohaupo and Te Awamutu will include road flexible road safety barriers, wide centrelines, widened shoulders, rumble strips and turnaround bays. It will also include improvements to intersections and access to properties.

The Government has welcomed news that milk tankers and other essential freight will be given priority access in and out of Kaikoura on the inland road (route 70) from next week.

The NZ Transport Agency established a schedule of controlled access this week after control of the road was formally transferred to the Transport Agency by the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.

Weather depending, the first trip by full milk tankers will take place next Monday.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has officially opened Coda’s new Intermodal Freight Hub in Otahuhu, one of the largest of its type in New Zealand.

The new facility will take containers of Fonterra products from plants in Whareroa and Pahiatua, and in return, send general freight from the Auckland region to Palmerston North.

“This new hub will help manage import, export and domestic freight in an efficient, safe and sustainable way,” Mr Bridges says.

A new community-based driving programme in Eastern Bay of Plenty will help young people take advantage of employment opportunities in the region, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

The NZ Transport Agency is investing $116,000 in the Ōpōtiki Community Driver Mentor Programme to help more teens and young adults gain their restricted licence. 

“This programme will help open up the world for young disadvantaged drivers — providing more freedom, mobility and employment opportunities,” Mr Foss says.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says the first birthday celebrations for Auckland’s Lightpath cycleway shows the huge popularity and impact cycling is having in the city.

The $18 million cycleway was officially opened a year ago, transforming cycling infrastructure in the city centre.

It provides a vital link in the Auckland Cycle Network, from Upper Queen Street to Victoria Street and connects directly to the Northwestern and Grafton Gully cycleways.

Cyclists are celebrating its anniversary during a special evening ride tonight.

Former Chief Legal Advisor for Treasury Jane Meares has been appointed as Chief Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).

Long serving barrister Richard Marchant has been appointed as a Commissioner.

The appointments are made by the Governor General on the recommendation of Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

“Ms Meares has extensive legal and governance experience and sound leadership skills,” Mr Bridges says.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the NZ Transport Agency’s announcement that it has awarded the contract for construction of the $330 million Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway to Fletcher Construction.

The Expressway will be a 13km, four-lane highway that runs along the existing State Highway One route from Peka Peka Road to Te Horo, and an eastern bypass of Ōtaki. Major construction will begin in mid-2017.

A major road safety campaign to help visitors understand and prepare for driving in New Zealand is now underway, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced today.

“Summer is on its way and so are many international visitors. New Zealand roads can be challenging, particularly in and around some of our most popular tourist spots,” Mr Foss says.

A range of regulatory changes combined with record investment will further improve cycle safety this summer, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Cycling is an increasingly popular mode of transport, past time and sport. It’s also a vital part of a safe, sustainable, connected and integrated transport system,” Mr Foss says.

“The Government is making a range of regulatory changes to help ensure cyclists stay safe on our roads, and that all road users are aware of their responsibilities.”

A $4.9 million network of new cycling and walking paths across Mt Roskill is complete.

The Mt Roskill Safe Routes project is a series of widened footpaths and road designs to help slow traffic down and provide a low traffic, low speed environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff officially opened the new network in Mt Roskill today, alongside local list MP Parmjeet Parmar.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has today opened the upgrade to the Causeway on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway, marking another milestone in completing the Western Ring Route.

The Causeway Upgrade Project has widened and raised a 4.8km section of the Northwestern Motorway between Te Atatu and Great North Road.

“This upgrade creates extra capacity for motorists heading to and from the growing western areas of Auckland, and links with the Waterview Connection to connect the city’s motorways,” Mr Bridges says.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has marked the start of work on the second stage of an upgrade to Pukekohe Station in Auckland.

The $16 million project will integrate bus and rail services into one station.

Six new bus bays will connect to the existing rail platform via a new overbridge. There will be 87 park and ride spaces, passenger waiting areas, better bike storage and improved security to make the area safer.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the start of construction on the Whakatu Arterial Link, a $20.17 million project to improve connections around the key business and employment area of Whakatu.

The Link extends between Pakowhai Road and State Highway 2 to the north-east of Hastings township.

"The Whakatu Arterial Link will improve the safety of key intersections and provide a more efficient and safer alternative route for heavy commercial freight traffic between Whakatu and the Port of Napier," says Mr Bridges.