A plan representing $11.8 billion of transport priorities over the next 3–6 years has been adopted by Waikato Regional Council.

The Waikato Regional Land Transport Plan 2024–2054 (RLTP) outlines the Waikato region’s transport priorities and for the next 10-30 years and makes the case for central government funding.

Some key regional priorities include implementing the Metro Spatial Plan Business Case, building regional resilience, reducing transport emissions and shaping urban areas to promote active modes and provide more transport options.

Resilience work is focused on the Coromandel Peninsula and Te Pōporo/Bulli Point on the southeast of Lake Taupō, along with increased maintenance activity on local roads and state highways regionwide.

It addresses road safety concerns, focusing on speed and infrastructure, issues faced by high-risk and vulnerable network users, and enforcement, education and behaviour change initiatives.

Under the plan, the region should also see the beginning of two roads of national significance (RONS) projects: the Hamilton Southern Links and the Cambridge to Piarere extension of the Waikato Expressway. 

The Waikato Regional Transport Committee – which unanimously endorsed the plan at its 21 June meeting – developed it collectively over the last 18 months. During that time there was a change in government and new government policy statement on land transport (GPS), which landed on the last day of the public consultation period.