6. Roading—ProjectsMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of TransportRoading—Projects6. MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of Transport: What progress has the Government made with its Roads of National Significance Programme in Canterbury?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): Fantastic progress. Last week the Prime Minister and I marked the start of two final Christchurch motorway projects to be built under the Government's roads of national significance programme. The first is the new $240 million Christchurch Northern Corridor project which includes a new 8-kilometre four-lane motorway starting at the Waimakariri River and finishing on Cranford Street in the city. The second project is a $195 million extension to the Christchurch Southern Motorway which will halve travel time between Rolleston and the city. All up the construction of these two projects will see nearly half a billion dollars injected into Canterbury providing hundreds of jobs directly and indirectly. They also reflect the Government's commitment to seeing the South Island's largest cities supported by a roading network that will support the cities' future economic and social growth. Maureen Pugh: What roading projects is the Government delivering to support an increase in economic growth on the West Coast?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: This week I was really pleased to welcome the news that the New Zealand Transport Agency has awarded the construction contract for the new $25 million Taramakau Bridge between Greymouth and Kūmara Junction on the West Coast. Work is set to get under way before Christmas and once finished this new two-lane bridge will mean local business operators and residents will no longer have to wait at each end on their daily commutes. The new bridge will also support the growing tourism opportunities developing in this region like the West Coast Wilderness Trail for cyclists and walkers by providing a safer and more reliable bridge. The new bridge is an important part of the Government's Accelerated Regional Roading Package programme so I am pleased we are delivering on this commitment to bring this road forward.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Speaking about roads of national significance—the Pūhoi to Warkworth one—after 8 years how many metres exactly have been built?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Well I am glad the member asks. He will well know that we have made fantastic—about $11 billion worth of progress on our roads of national—Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. We have waited 8 years and with exactitude I just want to know—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member has asked the question. Show some respect and we will wait for the answer. We will deal with the answer afterwards if it is not satisfactory.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: As I was about to say the member I am sure will well know we have now procured for the project Pūhoi to Warkworth over $700 million and very soon that member may well see spades in the ground.Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked him—Mr SPEAKER: Order! What I am going to do—[Interruption] Order! I am going to invite the member to ask the question again.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Thank you Mr Speaker. Speaking about the roads of national significance—in this case Pūhoi to Warkworth—after 8 long years Minister exactly how many metres have been built?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Well as I made abundantly clear in my answer to the right honourable member spades have not yet gone into the ground. But if he waits very soon that will be happening on this project—the last of the roads of national significance that we are starting.Matt Doocey: What other roading projects is the Government delivering in the South Island to support and increase economic growth?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Well in amongst the unprecedented investment all across the country in roading last week I was in Queenstown to get work under way on the new $22 million eastern access road. Once completed at the end of next year the new road will allow traffic not needing to travel into central Queenstown to bypass the busy BP roundabout at the junction of State Highway 6 and State Highway 6A. The new road will be a key part of the growing arterial network in the area and it will bring real relief for motorists by easing congestion in the area. The new road is just one in a range of high-quality transport projects the Government is delivering to support the very strong growth in the Queenstown Lakes District area.