Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
The government is launching a list of roads of regional significance as part of moves to speed up the building of new state highways.
It has also announced two more roads of national significance - at Takatimu in Southland, and between Otaki and Levin in Horowhenua.
In Auckland on Monday, Transport Minister Simeon Brown said all decisions around the scope and delivery of the projects has been delegated to the Transport Agency.
He and the Finance Minister had agreed to the change in ministerial powers because in the past it has led to delays and scope creep, he said.
The projects would come from $6.5 billion in funding already set aside.
The regional projects announced are: Penlink, Waihoehoe Road, State Highway 1 Papakura to Drury, the State Highway 1 and 29 intersection, State Highway 58 improvements, Melling, a Queenstown package and three Canterbury packages.
