The AA is pleased that two key roads in Southland have been given greater importance in the country’s just finalised State Highway Classification plan.

The plan is produced by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and the classification highways receive affect the long-term strategic planning for the overall highway network and the future investment, design and maintenance of particular roads.

The AA called for several highways to receive higher classifications following the release of the draft plan for consultation and this helped result in SH1 between Bluff and Invercargill being upgraded to ‘Regional Strategic’ level and SH6 between Invercargill and Five Rivers being upgraded to ‘Regional Connector’ level.

Highways are categorised according to criteria such as the size of nearby cities and towns, traffic and freight volume and tourist numbers.

“It is great that the NZTA took on board our call for these highways to be recognised as the significant routes that they are,” says AA Southland District Council Chairman Brett Flintoff.

“SH1 from Bluff to Invercargill carries a huge amount of freight from the port in Bluff and SH6 is part of the main fuel route supplying Southland, Central Otago and Queenstown.”

“Having a higher classification will ensure the highways meet the needs of their users and that they are given appropriate consideration in future planning.”

For more information contact

Brett Flintoff
Chairman, Southland District Council
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. 03 214 7979
M. 021 1255 855

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.