2. MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
What recent announcements has she made with respect to roading in the Waikato region?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) Link to this
Yesterday I announced the start of the construction of the Mangatawhiri deviation on State Highway 2. In July I attended the completion of the Mercer to Longswamp expressway project on State Highway 1. Both projects are priorities for the Waikato region, as they provide safety and economic benefits. Both of these highways were considered safety black spots in terms of road deaths and injury. The value of large, State highway constructed safety projects has more than doubled since we became the Government, because we do take the safety of New Zealanders seriously.
Yes. I saw a report in the Waikato Times in which the local member of Parliament, Dr Paul Hutchison, criticised the design and funding for the deviation. I do not know who he has been talking to. The Mayor of Franklin District Council, Mark Ball, and the local people I received feedback from yesterday, are delighted with this $46 billion project. I was informed that a request was made for this deviation back in the 1990s but no action was taken.
David BennettCan the Minister explain why the Government has put money ahead of lives in consistently delaying the Mangatawhiri deviation, then re-tendering the project, then redesigning the project, when in the Transit plan of 2003 it had a completion date of June next year, and while five people have died on that road; and how many more can be expected to die while construction is completed?
What New Zealanders recognise is cant from the member opposite. There was an opportunity to fix that deviation in the 1990s. No notice was taken of that opportunity, and lives have been lost on that road for years. The deviation will be undertaken. I have turned the first sod, $46 million is going into it, and it will be completed on time and on budget.