Local road connections with state highways

Introduction

This section sets out policy covering cost responsibility for road work that involves both state highways and local roads.

State highway A road, whether or not constructed or vested in the Crown, that is declared to be a state highway under section 11 of the National Roads Act 1953, section 60 of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989 (formally known as the Transit New Zealand Act 1989), or under section 103 of the LTMA. and motorway boundaries should be located in such a manner that boundaries of responsibility are clear and practical for all aspects, including designation, construction, renewal, maintenance and control.

For the latest information, please see the local connectors guidance for the 2015-18 NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied .

Policy principles

Cost responsibilities for roading infrastructure should be based on the underlying principles:

• reflect the relative benefits to users of the state highway and local road networks
• recognise that the sector initiating the work should have the primary responsibility for the cost
• be compatible with the responsibility for control of the assets involved.

The application of these principles to specific situations is set out below. Some connections may be complex and cover a number of these specific situations. Cost responsibilities for these situations should be negotiated.

For situations not covered below, cost responsibilities should be negotiated on a case-by-case basis according to the principles and priority order listed above.

Note:   Negotiations are to involve the NZTA and the respective Approved Organisation.

Connecting new state highway projects

Where a new state highway project is constructed with connections to existing local roads, all work within the final state highway reserve, including overbridges, underpasses A grade separation where the traffic passes under an intersecting highway or railway. and interchange ramps, is a state highway charge. This does not apply to work of a higher standard than (or in addition to) the work required by the state highway.

All other work is eligible for funding assistance in the Approved Organisation’s programme, unless otherwise negotiated.

The cost of upgrading local roads as a consequence of the new connections is a local road charge.

Connecting new state highway crossing without connections

Where a new state highway project is constructed across an existing local road without connections between the roads, all work, including any work to adjust the local road, is a state highway charge. This does not apply to work on the local road of a higher standard than (or in addition to) the work required by the state highway.

All other work is eligible for funding assistance in the Approved Organisation’s programme.

New local road connecting to existing state highway

Where a new local road, including private developmental roading, is connected to an existing state highway, construction of the local road including any overpass A grade separation where the traffic passes over an intersecting road or railway. or underpass A grade separation where the traffic passes under an intersecting highway or railway. is a local road charge.

The cost of any access ramps is a state highway charge, except where the primary purpose of the new connection is to provide access to a private facility, in which case the owner of that facility shall meet the full ramp costs.

Where there is no clear distinction between the ramps and the bridge structures, e.g. at a directional interchange, the ramp/bridge costs are to be shared according to the proportion of ramp to bridge costs for an equivalent standard interchange with the same number of ramps as the standard interchange.

Any associated state highway upgrading needed to cater for local traffic that is effectively crossing the motorway, such as the provision of auxiliary motorway lanes, is to be a local road charge. This is because provision for traffic crossing the state highway is deemed to be a function of the local road network.

Local road Any road, other than a state highway, in the district, and under the control, of a territorial authority. crossing an existing state highway without connections

Where a new local road is constructed across a state highway without connections to the state highway, no costs are to be a state highway charge.

The work is eligible for funding assistance in the Approved Organisation’s programme.

Upgrade of an existing state highway/local road intersection

Where an existing intersection between a state highway and a local road is upgraded, reconstructed or relocated, all work within the state highway reserve is a state highway charge.

Any realignment or upgrading of the local road that is necessitated by the project will also be a state highway charge. The NZTA will, however, require a local road contribution for any work that exceeds the minimum level of upgrading necessary to the project.

State highway A road, whether or not constructed or vested in the Crown, that is declared to be a state highway under section 11 of the National Roads Act 1953, section 60 of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989 (formally known as the Transit New Zealand Act 1989), or under section 103 of the LTMA. intersecting with unsealed local road

Where construction work is undertaken on a state highway and an intersection with an unsealed local road is involved, the unsealed side road approach to the state highway must be sealed. The work is to be a full charge to the state highway project.

Agreement of the Approved Organisation must be obtained.

Maintenance of local roads intersecting state highways

The maintenance of the carriageway That portion of the road devoted particularly to the use of travelling vehicles, including shoulders That portion of the carriageway outside the traffic lanes. . of a local road, intersecting at grade with a state highway, for a distance of 10 metres from the limit line position or to the end of seal, whichever is the lesser, shall be a state highway charge.

This maintenance includes:

• pavement The road structure that is constructed on the subgrade and supports the traffic loading. maintenance
• maintenance of regulatory signs associated with the intersection
• maintenance of pavement The road structure that is constructed on the subgrade and supports the traffic loading. marking related to traffic control of the intersection where these are appropriate, and
• maintenance of raised traffic islands related to the traffic control of the intersection.