Funding received for Whanganui River Road upgrade - 17/12/2004Funding of $220,000 has been received from Transfund New Zealand for the planning and design for sealing 34km of the Whanganui River Road and Raetihi-Pipiriki Road.
The $5M project is a joint one between the Wanganui District Council and Ruapehu District Council and involves sealing the remaining 34km of unsealed road between Wanganui and Raetihi.
The project has the support of Whanganui River Iwi and the Regional Economic Development Partnership formed by the Wanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitikei District Councils.
Wanganui District Council Works & Transport Committee Chair Don McGregor and Ruapehu District Mayor Sue Morris today welcomed confirmation of funding for the initial planning and design stage.
"This signals the beginning of a major project which will have significant benefits for both Districts, as well as for the communities on the Whanganui River," they said.
"After many years of seeking funding for upgrading the roads, we are delighted to receive this support."
Funding to begin construction has been included in the District roading programmes of both councils (on condition of 100 percent subsidy being received) and is supported by an application from the Horizons Regional Land Transport Committee to Transfund New Zealand for funding to be released in the 2005/06 financial year.
Once construction starts, it is expected to take four to five years to seal the 34km that remains unsealed.
When work is completed, the road will provide much improved and safer access for communities on the Whanganui River. Sealing the road will also encourage greater use by tourists which will in turn increase employment in the area. At present 90 percent of tourists to the region typically travel in rented vehicles; however, rental companies actively dissuade hirers from using unsealed roads.
Roading improvements are also needed because of the increasing land use and logging traffic on the Whanganui River and Pipiriki roads.
Other areas of benefit are cultural and social development and the environment, with the elimination of dust which affects human and animal health. Run-off from unsealed roads also contaminates water courses and discolours water.
Tenders have been called for the project and timelines will be put in place once tenders have been confirmed. | 
