Major Investment Announced for Southland’s State Highways and Local Roads

• $315 million will be invested in Southland for state highway and local road improvements.
• The funding will address maintenance, pothole prevention, and bridge replacements in Southland.
• Otago and Southland to benefit from the $1.4 billion transport investment over three years.

Southland is set to receive a major infrastructure boost, with $315 million allocated to improve its state highways and local roads over the next three years. This funding is part of the wider $1.4 billion investment earmarked for Otago and Southland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

In Southland, $62 million will be directed towards maintaining state highway assets, alongside $79 million specifically reserved for pothole prevention. The investment will cover extensive road works, including 286 kilometres of chipseal, 77 kilometres of rehabilitation, 3 kilometres of structural asphalt, and 12 kilometres of asphalt resurfacing.

Local roads in Southland will also see substantial investment, with $40 million dedicated to operations and $134 million set aside for pothole prevention. This comes as part of a broader $504 million investment shared with Otago for local road maintenance and improvements.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown highlighted the importance of these investments in supporting economic growth and productivity in the region. He emphasised that the funding will ensure safer, more reliable transport networks, which are crucial for both locals and tourists.

Additionally, Southland will benefit from the replacement of ageing bridges and culverts, a critical issue given the region’s extensive network of over 1,000 bridges, many of which were built before 1970. Seventeen bridges and culverts are slated for replacement across Otago and Southland, improving the resilience of the roading network.

This comprehensive investment in Southland’s transport infrastructure is expected to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and support regional growth.