Chambers of commerce are lauding the benefits of highway investment – and looking forward to seeing the Cambridge to Piarere stretch completed.
Research commissioned by the Northern Infrastructure Forum shows that if the Cambridge to Piarere road – about 16km – and the slightly longer Warkworth to Wellsford highway investments go ahead, they will contribute almost $1billion to New Zealand’s gross domestic product a year.
Waikato Expressway looking south towards the Victoria off ramp.
Kelly Bouzaid
Cambridge chamber chief Kelly Bouzaid said there was initial concern about the rerouting of SH1 away from Cambridge – but it had seen early industrial land rezoning due to high demand.
The expressway completion in December 2015 had improved transportation, attracted businesses, created jobs, and stimulated economic growth in Hautapu, she said.
Waikato chamber’s Don Good – a Karāpiro resident – said transport infrastructure was essential for enabling economic activity growth through connecting people, businesses and economies.
Don Good
“We’ve seen the economic benefits already from the Waikato Expressway, with an influx of housing and businesses along the corridor.
That’s particularly evident around Pokeno and Cambridge. Investing in our state highway provides economic benefits to sectors across New Zealand and our regional economies,” he said.
The most recent example of development was the ceremonial turning of the sod for a new roundabout at Piarere and transport minister Simeon Brown’s announcement that the Piarere extension, shelved in 2017, was back on.
Simeon Brown
Research conducted by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research outlines the economic impact of potential state highway investments and will be presented to central and local government and business leaders from around the North Island on February 28.
Hosted by the Waikato chamber, the Northern Infrastructure Forum will present the results of research it commissioned last year into the economic GDP annual benefits of the two planned expressway extensions – estimated at $487 to $497 million.
The Forum was established last year to provide a voice for the north on infrastructure issues and help drive a world-class infrastructure programme for New Zealand.
Spades at the ready for the turning the sod ceremony, guests get a safety briefing in the paddock adjoining SH1 and SH29 where a 60m roundabout will be completed in two years. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
