What alternative transport options, including public transport, freight rail upgrades, staged road upgrades, or safety-focused improvements, were assessed alongside the Roads of National Significance programme prior to Cabinet decisions?

Answer

Options development and evaluations were considered for the investment decision making on all Roads of National Significance investment projects. Each project had its own unique set of problems, benefits and investment objectives. Further stakeholder engagement is held to develop the initial ideas and alternatives that addresses those problems and achieve the investment outcomes of safety, traffic efficiency and access. These investment case summaries have now been published on the New Zealand Transport Agency’s website. I am also advised by NZTA that the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS) 2024 set out the Government’s expectations for the programme which determined the scope of the projects for consideration. No Cabinet decisions have been made on the projects following the release of the GPS.