Latest news with #TransportAgency

RNZ News
a day ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Truck crash blocks North Canterbury highway
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Two people are injured after a truck crash on State Highway 1 in North Canterbury. Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash on Domett Road near Cheviot about 8.10am. Police said one person was seriously injured and another had moderate injuries. The Transport Agency said the truck was blocking the highway and the road was closed between Old Main Road and Nonoti Road. Motorists were urged to delay their journey or use alternative routes.

RNZ News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
NZTA secretly using cameras in city billboards
transport policy 27 minutes ago The Transport Agency has been secretly using cameras in billboards at city intersections to track cars and trucks. Phil Pennington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Taranaki farmers consider options after Mt Messenger Bypass court setback
The Transport Agency wants to compulsorily acquire 11 hectares of Tony and Debbie Pascoe's' cattle farm. Photo: Ken Downie Taranaki farmers fighting the compulsory acquisition of 11 hectares of their land for the Mt Messenger Bypass project say they're considering their options after another setback in the courts. The Transport Agency wants to compulsorily acquire 11 hectares of Tony and Debbie Pascoe's cattle farm under the Public Works Act for the project. The $365 million bypass is a new two-lane 6km route between Uruti and Ahititi that avoids the existing steep, narrow and winding route over Mt Messenger on State Highway 3. The couple argue that the process for selecting the route and acquiring their land had been flawed, but the High Court - which has issued four new appeal decisions - disagreed. The Transport Agency has welcomed the decisions - the latest of 20 court rulings involving the Pascoes land - saying it marked a significant milestone for the project. One of this week's appeal findings related to a 2024 Environment Court decision - which supported the compulsory acquisition - and involved the selection of the bypass route. Three other decisions related to the process for acquiring the couple's land. The Pascoes, who have already been granted leave to appeal issues relating to the compulsory acquisition to the Supreme Court , said they were still considered the High Court decisions. "While we have not yet had an opportunity to fully review yesterday's decisions, we have already identified a number of fundamental errors. "It appears that Justice McQueen has failed to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence in the performance of her duties to us and to the people of this country." The couple said the Supreme Court had determined in a number of high-profile instances that there had been miscarriages of justice and cases were not properly determined by the lower courts. "We believe that yesterday's decisions are in this category, and it is likely that we will appeal. "Being deprived of somewhere tenable to live and the ability to make a living is barbaric and an abomination under the Public Works Act." Taranaki farmer Tony Pascoe. Photo: Ken Downie The Supreme Court appeal was scheduled to be heard on 14 October. NZTA regional manager of infrastructure delivery Rob Partridge said the rulings marked a significant milestone for the project, following years of legal challenges. "While it is always our preference to acquire land through agreement, this has not been possible, despite extensive efforts including numerous offers made to the landowners." Partridge said since 2017, there had been many attempts to acquire the land by agreement, and the landowners had been presented with 20 offers including options for new housing elsewhere across their 683-hectare landholdings. "The delays in securing this land have come at a considerable cost. NZTA plans to update the overall project cost later this year, factoring in the impacts of these delays, as well as inflation and rising construction costs." Te Ara o Te Ata - Mt Messenger Bypass project construction in February 2025. Photo: NZTA / Waka Kotahi Partridge said following the latest court decision NZTA would now request the Crown take the necessary steps to become the legal owner of the 11-hectare parcel of land. "So that, subject to any further legal challenge against this process occurring, the Mt Messenger Alliance can begin works on the northern section as soon as possible." The work was then expected to take four full construction seasons, from October to April, to complete, Partridge said.

RNZ News
03-07-2025
- RNZ News
Animals posing hazards on the roads
transport rural 29 minutes ago The New Zealand Transport Agency is asking livestock owners to be more vigilant about where their animals are, after a number of recent incidents on highways. Journey manager Nicole Felts spoke to Charlotte Cook.


Scoop
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Pūhoi To Warkworth Motorway Going To 110km/h
Press Release – New Zealand Government Kiwis have had their say and NZTA has completed all required technical assessments, with the motorway being assessed as safe to increase the speed limit to 110km/h. Minister of Transport A new 110km/h speed limit on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway will come into effect first thing tomorrow morning, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today. 'Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity, and with over 20,000 vehicles travelling this motorway every day, the new higher speed will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely,' Mr Bishop says. 'Late last year, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) publicly consulted on increasing the speed limit from north of the Pūhoi interchange viaduct to south of the Warkworth roundabout to 110km/h. More than 7,900 submissions were received across Northland and Auckland. Responses were overwhelmingly positive, with 94% in support of the increasing the speed limit and 91% strongly in favour. 'The Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway has been designed and constructed with safety features that greatly reduce the risk of death and serious injury in a crash such as two lanes in each direction providing safe passing opportunities, flexible median barrier separation between opposing lanes, and a mostly straight, wide alignment. Since opening in 2023, no one has died in a crash. 'Kiwis have had their say and NZTA has completed all required technical assessments, with the motorway being assessed as safe to increase the speed limit to 110km/h. Now, we're getting on and delivering it. 'Police will apply the same enforcement to 110km/h roads as any other part of the road network. Drivers can expect to see police patrols on New Zealand roads anywhere, at any time. Drivers should continue to drive to the conditions, free from impairment and distraction, and make sure everyone's wearing their seatbelt. 'The Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway has vastly improved the safety, connectivity, and resilience of the network between Auckland and Northland, and has opened access to popular destinations between the two regions. As a critical route for road users, freight, and tourists, I look forward to the new 110km/h speed limit coming into effect from tomorrow.' The new 110km/h speed limit on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway comes into effect on Tuesday 1 July 2025 and will apply from 2.5km north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels, to south of Warkworth roundabout. Notes: The public consultation for increasing the speed limit to 110km/h on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway took place from 3 September to 1 October 2024. 7,911 submissions were received from across Northland and Auckland, including 158 submissions from businesses or organisations. The speed limit on SH1 through the Johnstones Hill Tunnels will remain 80km/h. While the SH1 Johnstones Hill Tunnels are built to high safety standards, the enclosed environment within a tunnel creates a different safety risk to that of the surrounding motorway. There are no current plans to review or change the speed limit for this section. There is a transition zone where the speed limit will be kept at 100km/h for a short length (2.5km) north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnel over two viaducts. This section is an area of weaving movements, where traffic is diverging and merging, exiting and egressing on short, narrow on and off ramps, with narrow lines of sight over the viaducts, and does not meet safety criteria for an increased speed.