NZTA/Waka Kotahi is marking another milestone for the State Highway 1 Wellington Improvements project.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has accepted the project’s Fast-track Approvals Act (FTAA) application, meaning it will go before an expert panel for further consideration.

Robyn Elston, Project Sponsor, says it is a significant milestone. “Progressing through the approvals and consenting process is critical. It helps us protect the route, and provides greater certainty for property owners, councils and the community.”

“If approved by the panel, the public will have greater clarity on what the project will look like and where it will go,” Ms Elston says.

She says there are very good reasons for the project to use the fast-track ahead of construction funding being confirmed.

“Major infrastructure projects take time to plan, design, consent and prepare for construction, and improvements and proposals to improve the SH1 corridor in Wellington have been discussed for decades. The more we do now, the quicker we can move when funding for construction is approved,” Ms Elston says.

FTAA process - The project’s fast-track application includes the latest proposed design and a full assessment of the project’s environmental effects. The application is supported by reports from independent technical specialists on matters such as noise and vibration, heritage, transport, and economic effects. 

Ms Elston says the project’s application is also publicly available on the fast-track website.

“We look forward to working with the panel and stakeholders as we move to the next phase of securing consents and approvals for this critical infrastructure project. We expect the expert panel process to be rigorous.”

“As previous fast-track decisions have shown, this process is not a rubber stamp exercise and we anticipate our application will be thoroughly scrutinised,” Ms Elston says.

Under the Fast-track Approvals Act, the expert panel must invite comments from people and organisations listed in the legislation. This includes mana whenua, councils, relevant statutory bodies, and owners and occupiers of land affected by or adjacent to the project.

The panel can also invite comments from others it considers affected. 

Ms Elston says the project design has been carefully considered in line with the Government’s transport policy priorities.

“Having an efficient and reliable state highway network is critical to the Wellington region. Currently, State Highway 1 through Wellington is heavily congested at peak times, causing delays, unpredictable journey times, and increased traffic on local roads as people seek alternative routes.”

“What we are looking to do is alleviate Wellington’s longstanding bottlenecks and make travel on SH1 through the city faster and more reliable, while reducing traffic and congestion on local roads,” Ms Elston says.