Government announces tolls for three new roads

Friday, 13 December 2024

Three roading projects will be partially funded by the drivers who use them.

The Government has announced tolls for three new roads.

The new tolls will apply to Takitimu North Link, Ōtaki to north of Levin, and Penlink.

The tolls are expected to help fund critical road infrastructure and ensure users contribute to construction costs.

The Government has announced tolls for three new roads to help fund important infrastructure projects.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the move will accelerate investment in country’s transport network.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown announces cabinet’s new tolling policy, which aims to speed up investment in NZ roads. Changes include tolls on upgraded routes and inflation-adjusted rates.

“Tolling is a tool used around the world to accelerate investment in roading infrastructure, and the changes the Government is making will allow this approach to be applied in New Zealand more effectively,” said Brown.

“These reforms ensure that those who benefit from new and improved roads share in the cost of building them, making it possible to deliver infrastructure sooner and more efficiently,” he added.

The new tolls will apply to three key roads: the Takitimu North Link, Ōtaki to north of Levin, and Penlink.

Takitimu North Link Stage 1

Light vehicles: $2.10 (off-peak) and $3.10 (peak)

The Government has announced tolls for three new roads to help fund important infrastructure projects.

Peak times: 6am – 9am and 3pm – 6pm

The Takitimu Drive toll scheme will exempt drivers from that toll if they are also travelling along Takitimu North Link in the same trip.

Ōtaki to north of Levin

Light vehicles: $2.70

Heavy vehicles: $5.40

Penlink

Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the move will accelerate investment in country’s transport network.

Light vehicles: $2.00 (off-peak) and $3.00 (peak)

Peak times: 6am – 9am and 4pm – 7pm

These figures are end-to-end only, motorists who pass only the toll point at theSH1 end will pay $1. Motorists who pass the Whangaparāoa end pay $1.00 at off-peak and $2.00 at peak times.

Heavy vehicles will pay double these rates.

'The Government has also confirmed that tolling will not be applied to the new Manawatū – Tararua Highway, as late consultation and timing constraints mean it would not be cost-effective to implement tolling until well after the road’s completion, placing it outside the Government’s expectations for new road tolling,' Brown said.

Construction is set to begin on Ōtaki to north of Levin in 2025, with the project due to be completed in 2029, while Penlink and Takitimu North Link are expected to open in 2028.