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Work has officially begun on the $600 million upgrade of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, one of the Government’s first new Roads of National Significance to reach the main works stage.

As national and local leaders turned the first sod today, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the project was a major step in the region’s transport investment pipeline.

“Hawke’s Bay is a really fast-growing area. By 2050, we expect over 200,000 people to live in the bay, and this is a congested section of the state highway network.

“It’s around 29,000 people on the existing section that we’re upgrading with the seven kilometres of four-laning, and it’s a project that’s been consented, it’s ready to go, and the funding is available.”

The 7km upgrade between the Links Rd/Pākōwhai Rd interchange and Taradale Rd includes a duplicate two-lane overpass at Meeanee Rd, a duplicate two-lane overpass at Kennedy Rd, a duplicate two-lane bridge over the Tutaekuri River, and a four-lane grade-separated interchange at Links Rd/Pākōwhai Rd.

“Initial construction will focus on the section of road between Taradale Rd and Tutaekuri River bridge, with four-laning expected to be completed in 2028,” Bishop said.

The Meeanee Rd and Kennedy Rd structures are scheduled to begin in 2026, followed by the interchange later that year. The full project is expected to finish in 2029.

As a long-term project, Bishop said noise and disruption were unavoidable.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlighted the project's role in supporting regional growth and reducing congestion. Photo / Rafaella Melo

Pete Wiles, the NZ Transport Agency’s national manager of infrastructure delivery, said noise limits were set in the project’s resource consent.

“There will be some construction noise, but that will be within acceptable limits, and we’ll prioritise that around times that are better for people.”

However, a nearby resident said he would have preferred to see the money spent elsewhere, and questioned whether cycling infrastructure had been overlooked.

Nathan King, of Taradale, said the four-laning would not make a significant difference to his daily commute.

“I work in Hastings and drive this route daily, and it takes me an extra three minutes with the traffic,” he told Hawke’s Bay Today.

“The upgrade is a good idea, but I would have liked to see the money spent elsewhere, our hospital, for instance.

“If they’re going to do the upgrade to the expressway, then maybe put on a bike bridge as well, give the opportunity for people to bike to work.”

NZTA said funding for the project did not include walking and cycling infrastructure.

Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd said the upgrade had been “talked about for a long time” and would support economic growth.

“As an export region, it means we can get our products to the port and off to the markets faster and more efficiently, which will help grow our local economy.”