It’s being proposed that North Canterbury’s Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass (B2P) would see drivers of light vehicles tolled $2.50 and truck drivers $5 for travelling its entire length.
Under the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024, New Zealand Transport Agency must consider tolling for all new Roads of National Significance.
The north of Christchurch project will see a 10km four-lane motorway extension and bypass, designed to reduce the heavy traffic burden on State Highway 1 through the town of Woodend.
NZTA said this proposal would add toll points at two different parts of the highway, which would each charge $1.25 per passing light vehicle, and $2.50 for a heavy vehicle.
“The proposal we settled on of two tolling points, one on each side of the Pineacres interchange, provides a balance between raising revenue to pay for the roading and managing the diversion of traffic into local communities.”
It said analysis showed a single tolling point charging $2.50 for light vehicles would generate higher revenue than two tolling points each charging $1.25.
“However, the single tolling point had greater potential for diverting significant volumes of traffic onto local (and untolled) roads and impacting local communities.
“The single tolling point options also raised issues of fairness, where residents of Woodend would either avoid paying a toll altogether, or paying the same toll as those using the entire length of the road.”
NZTA said the investment case for the project confirmed tolling was possible and the revenue would support the construction, maintenance and operation of the road.
NZTA system design regional manager Rich Osborne said six tolling options were considered when assessing tolling suitability for the project.
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“These included placing tolling points either north or south of the proposed Williams Street interchange at Pineacres, or at both sites.
“If this proposed tolling proceeds, we’ll work with the Waimakariri District Council and Tuahiwi, Kaiapoi and Woodend communities on how to discourage that additional traffic being diverted into those communities.”
The public have until Tuesday, September 9 to provide feedback on the proposal.
Construction on the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass is due to begin next year.
