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Work got underway this morning on the fourth of six sections of Christchurch’s Western Corridor motorway, with the first sod turned by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee for the Johns Road section from The Groynes to Sawyers Arms Road.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says Wellingtonians will be delighted that after nearly a century in the making, work on the long-awaited Transmission Gully road is now officially underway.

Mr Brownlee today joined Prime Minister John Key and United Future leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne, other local dignitaries and officials, in turning the first sod on the 27 kilometre four-lane highway, which is the first roading Public Private Partnership (PPP) in New Zealand’s history.

Prime Minister John Key has today announced $100 million in new funding will be made available over the next four years to accelerate cycleways in urban centres.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says an Urban Cycleway Investment Panel will investigate opportunities to invest in urban cycleways that would expand and improve the cycling network.

Mr Brownlee says National recognises that commuting by bike has health benefits and takes pressure off other transport networks, but says cycleways in our largest centres are fragmented and offer varied levels of service.

Rail Safety Week is a reminder for all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to stay alert around level crossings, says Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse at today’s Rail Safety Week launch.

“A near miss can also be seen as a near hit. It’s just not worth taking the risk around level crossings, which is why this year’s focus for Rail Safety Week is on level crossings,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“There are more than 1300 level crossings in New Zealand, and on average, there is a near miss every three days.”

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed another milestone for the Wellington Northern Corridor Road of National Significance, as momentum builds towards creating a modern, safe and efficient transport lifeline north of the capital.

“The NZ Transport Agency’s announcement that it has awarded the contract for detailed design of the Peka Peka to Otaki section of the Kapiti expressway to Opus Consultants is another positive step for this important roading project, which is on track for a construction start in 2016,” Mr Brownlee says.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has authorised a strategic alliance between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, which will see Air New Zealand fly into Singapore for the first time since 2006.

Mr Brownlee says the decision is good news for air travellers, who will benefit from more flights and lower fares between New Zealand and Singapore.

Novice drivers and motorcycle riders will be encouraged to progress to the next licence stage within five years, with the introduction of a time limit on new learner and restricted licences, says Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse.

Under changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule, drivers or riders who don’t move on to the next stage of the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) within five years will need to pass another theory test to renew an expired learner or restricted licence.

Legislation that will lower the adult drink-driving limits from 1 December 2014 has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today says Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.

“Changes delivered by this legislation will save lives and reduce injuries, and they demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving road safety,” Mr Brownlee says.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says increases in vehicle travel and vehicle registrations reflect New Zealand’s economic recovery and growing population.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says confirmation work will get underway this year on the 27 kilometre Transmission Gully motorway is great news for all Wellingtonians.

“Today’s signing of a contract between the NZ Transport Agency and The Wellington Gateway Partnership to deliver the highway as a Public Private Partnership brings to an end decades of indecision and delay,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Transmission Gully is a very important section of the Government’s 110km Wellington Northern Gateway Road of National Significance.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is congratulating the NZ Transport Agency and local Northland contractors for their relentless efforts to re-establish the vital State Highway 1 transport link severed by last week’s storms.

“The Transport Agency and their local contractors Fulton Hogan and Opus have been working around the clock with a singular focus on re-opening this lifeline for the region, and they are confident traffic will be moving around the storm-damaged section of SH1 near Kawakawa this evening,” Mr Brownlee says.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says Northlanders can count on the Government’s financial support for repairs to the region’s storm-damaged local roading network.

“This is on top of repairs to the State highway network, which are already well underway,” Mr Brownlee says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse has today announced the timetable for the introduction of mandatory electronic stability control (ESC) for cars imported to New Zealand.

Mr Woodhouse has signed a new Land Transport Rule that will phase in mandatory ESC for all new and used light passenger and goods vehicles entering the New Zealand fleet.

“ESC has been described by the New Zealand Automobile Association and many road safety experts as the most significant advance in vehicle safety since the seatbelt,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says Cabinet approval of two new air services agreements will make it easier for New Zealanders to travel and do business in Cambodia and the Philippines.

“These agreements help provide New Zealanders with better access to South East Asia, providing for enhanced trade and tourism links,” Mr Brownlee says.

“New Zealand and the Philippines have a long and close relationship, and the enhancement of the air services arrangements is a further demonstration of this.”

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee joined fellow dignitaries today in turning the first sod to mark the official start of construction on the State highway 3 Vickers to City improvements. The project will free up the main highway in and out of New Plymouth, providing relief from traffic congestion and a boost to the productivity of one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions.

“We recognise that Taranaki is helping to lead the way as our nation’s economy continues to grow, and we’ll make even swifter headway when this major bottleneck is removed.

Prime Minister John Key has this morning announced $212 million from the Future Investment Fund for a package of 14 regionally important State highway projects.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the government is committing up to $80 million from the package to accelerate five critically important regional projects, with work beginning next year.

These five projects are:

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has today released a plan which will set the direction for the modernisation of New Zealand’s airspace and air navigation system.

The National Airspace and Air Navigation Plan enables the introduction of technology solutions over the next 10 years that will mean shorter journeys, improved safety and lower carbon emissions in the aviation sector.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has released for engagement the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport, which proposes investing $38.7 billion in land transport over the next 10 years, delivering major gains for road maintenance and road safety.

“This GPS for the period 2015/16 - 2024/25 sets out government’s priorities for the land transport sector, and guides the allocation of over $3 billion each year from the National Land Transport Fund,” Mr Brownlee says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is reminding road users to take care and drive to the conditions over Queen’s Birthday weekend.

“As we come into the winter months, driving conditions can get more challenging. I encourage all those travelling this weekend to slow down and avoid distractions so that everyone makes it to their destination safely,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Maritime New Zealand will receive $2.9 million of new capital funding from the Future Investment Fund to help it adopt the latest technology necessary for optimum performance, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“This new funding will assist Maritime NZ to develop the information system required to support the new maritime operator safety system and the seafarer certification rules,” Mr Brownlee says.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the signing in Leipzig, Germany overnight of an air services agreement with Finland is another example of how the government is delivering on its commitment to the extension and liberalisation of international air services agreements.

“This agreement will rank among the most liberal air services agreements in the world,” Mr Brownlee says.

“It sets a high standard which New Zealand hopes to emulate in agreements with other states.”

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is reminding drivers to keep focused while behind the wheel this Road Safety Week.

“The road is a complex environment and requires our full concentration. When we’re out on the road, it’s very easy to be distracted by a phone, music, or even other people. It’s important to remember that a moment’s inattention can have serious consequences,” Mr Woodhouse says.

KiwiRail’s 10-year Turnaround Plan to make its freight business commercially viable continues, with $198 million being invested from the Future Investment Fund.

This brings total Crown capital investment in the Plan to $1.04 billion.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says KiwiRail will use the new money to invest primarily in:

Budget 2014 provides $375 million of new capital funding for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to accelerate $815 million worth of Auckland transport projects, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

The projects will address congestion in our largest city, capitalise on the benefits of major roading projects already under way, such as the Western Ring Route, and improve access to Auckland International Airport.

“No Government has invested so heavily in transport infrastructure across all transport modes,” Mr Brownlee says.