Napier port development gets NZ$25m boost

The improvements will include amendments to intersections at Watchman Road and Hyderabad Road/Prebensen Drive as well as the SH50/SH2 Expressway.

It is part of the third tranche of the government’s Accelerated Regional Roading Programme, which was launched in 2014 to speed up the delivery of transport projects important to regional New Zealand.

Simon Bridges, transport minister, said: “In 2015, Napier Port handled the equivalent of more than 250,000 containers, up more than 16% compared with 2014. Improving the road access will enable more efficient and safe movement of freight to and from the port, and support future growth.

“The Napier Port Access Package is part of the $245m being invested in land transport in the Hawke’s Bay region over the next three years. This includes more investment in public transport and cycling, which are key parts of the government’s commitment to providing more transport choices.”

Improvements at the Watchman Road intersection are expected to start this summer and will take up to 12 months to complete. Construction work for the proposed improvements to SH50 and the Hyderabad Road/Prebensen Drive, meanwhile, will begin in the first half of 2018.

Economic development minister Steven Joyce added: “Having strong transport links between the port, the airport, Napier, Hastings, Northern Hawke’s Bay and Central Hawke’s Bay, is one of the key themes in the regional action plan. The regional ministers look forward to working with the region to deliver the package announced today plus further investments in the years ahead.”