Hundreds of protesters gathered in Woodville today to protest a Government proposal to toll a new highway being built in the Tararua District, describing it as a “disgrace” and saying the Transport Minister was “fighting a battle he’s already lost”.
Te Ahu a Turanga is a new four-lane expressway being built over the Ruahine Range after slips in April 2017 saw State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge close indefinitely.
The 11.5km highway, which cost $620 million, will reconnect the Manawatu, Tararua District, Hawke’s Bay and Northern Wairarapa when it opens next year.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is proposing a fee of $4.30 per trip for light vehicles and $8.60 for heavy vehicles, with the money making contributing to the construction costs.
Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said August 29 was the first residents had heard about the tolls.
“The Land Transport Management Act says they must have adequate consultation, do you feel this is adequate consultation?” she asked the crowd gathered.
One protester said they travelled to Palmerston North everyday for work as part of their commute.
“It would cost me an extra $2000 a year.”
NZTA Waka Kotahi wants to charge people to use Te Ahu a Turanga, the replacement road for the Manawatū Gorge. Local residents say it’s deeply unfair and have gathered in Dannevirke to oppose the proposal. (Source: 1News)
Labour’s transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere today said the toll was proposed because the Government had a plan with a “six-billion-dollar financial hole in it”.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown reacted to that by saying Utikere was “making things up”.
“The National Land Transport Programme between 2024-2027 is fully funded, we’re focused on building and maintaining the roads the Labour Party let go into a serious state of disrepair.”
Submissions to NZTA close on Monday, after which the agency will send its recommendations on to the Minister, which will then be taken to Cabinet.
