Stuff readers respond to the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance
Tuesday, 12 March 2024
This story was summarised from original Stuff reporting and published member comments using generative AI tool Chat GPT with oversight and editing from Stuff journalists.
The Government has brought back the concept of 'Roads of National Significance', earmarking 15 major road projects for development.
These projects will all be four-laned, grade-separated highways, built “as quickly as possible”.
The announcement lacked specific details about the start and financial aspects of these projects, but information from National's pre-election transport policy shed some light on potential timings and costs.
The discussions within Stuff’s comments section reveal a spectrum of opinions and concerns. Critics question the prioritisation of these projects, citing the absence of significant upgrades to State Highway 1, particularly in the South Island, as an oversight.
Many expressed scepticism about the economic efficiency of the proposed projects, highlighting issues with benefit-cost ratios and questioning the allocation of billions towards roads while other pressing needs, such as child welfare, remain unaddressed.
A common theme was the criticism of focusing on road construction over alternative transport solutions or other critical infrastructure needs.
Concerns were also raised about the environmental impact and the effectiveness of these projects in reducing congestion or supporting regional development.
There was recognition of the necessity for certain projects, pointing out specific areas where road improvements could significantly impact safety and connectivity.
Here’s a selection of your comments representing the debate:
“How about fixing State Highway 1 (particularly in south island), why isn't SH1 considered a road of Nation Significance? bizarre thinking.”
“So, about $20 billion worth of projects with most of them having benefit-cost ratios of less than 1? And this government touts in their new Govt Policy Statement on Transport how 'economic efficiency' is important to them…”
“Really more roads? Is that all this lot have to offer? We can't afford to maintain what we already have and they want to add even more to the pile. Where is the vision for the country?”
“No money for hungry kids, but billions for roads. Funny how we need to prove the value of school lunches but the same standard doesn't hold true when it comes to this stuff. The east west link doesn't even come close to a ROI that would justify it. But I guess poor starving kids don't make political donations.”
“There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and the National Party getting aroused at the idea of new roads.”
“I just wish there was Rail of National Significance, my mum remembers that it was easier to get to every corner of NZ by rail than by car. My father in law remembers if it was a certain distance away from the City, City to City as an example it must go on rail this prevented major damage on our roads by increasingly heavy trucks. Sad Face.”
“Vote buying where the population (& therefore greatest number of electorates) is. Shows contempt for rural East & West Coast Nth Island, & entire Sth Island!! Wasting our money to buy votes & donations from trucking companies.”
“Imagine if just one third of the debt Grant and Jacinda ran up had been spent on roads. All of these proposed roads would now be in use.“
“Sigh. Could we please invest in some decent public transport instead of more roads? The Ministry of Transport even says that more roads just encourages more car travel, more congestion. We have the 5th highest vehicle ownership per capita in the world, which is just insane, because we have such terrible public transport. With election cycles the way they are, and a by-and-large self-interested voting base, no work ever gets done to solve the problem for the good of society.”
“Forget the roads it's our Health System that needs urgent attention.”