Palmerston North Integrated Transport Initiative (PNITI)

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Project introduction

The Palmerston North Integrated Transport Initiative (PNITI) is a package of projects designed to support growth of freight distribution in the region while also improving transport safety and choice for the whole community.

  • Project type

    Road improvements, Safety improvements

About the project

From its location in central New Zealand, Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū-Whanganui region is positioned to become a leading freight distribution hub – supporting economic development in the region.

To achieve this goal, while enhancing the lifestyle the region is known for, Palmerston North’s transport network needs changing and upgrading.

The Palmerston North Integrated Transport Initiative (PNITI) is a package of projects designed to support growth of freight distribution in the region while also improving transport safety and choice for residents and visitors of Palmerston North. It aims to support economic development, reduce the number of freight vehicles on inner city streets, encourage active modes of transport (like walking, biking or catching the bus), reduce congestion and journey times, and reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Find out more about the project and next steps

Key features

There are more than 70 individual projects that will be completed over the next 30+ years as part of the PNITI programme.

The projects range from operational and investigation work such as business cases, to the delivery of transport services or physical infrastructure such as improved walking/cycling facilities, public transport, safer intersections, and works to slow down vehicles in the city centre or create more reliable freight corridors.

The projects are categorised into eight key packages: transport planning, state highway safety improvements, local road safety improvements, rezoning land for different use, enabling streets for people, Palmerston North eastern access improvements, east/west ring route, and Palmerston North southern access improvements.

  • State highway safety improvements

    These projects will be led by Waka Kotahi and involve a series of improvements aimed at reducing the risk of harm to our community on state highways in Palmerston North.

    • SH3/SH57 to SH2 (Saddle Road)
    • SH3 Rangitikei Street / Featherston Street intersection
    • SH3/SH54 intersection
    • SH3 Palmerston North to Ashhurst
    • SH54/Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road intersection
    • SH54 Milson Line
    • SH56/SH57 Makerua to Palmerston North
    • SH57 improvements
    • SH57/Tennent Drive intersection
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  • Local road safety improvements

    These projects will be led by Palmerston North City Council and Manawatu District Council to reduce current safety risks on local roads.

    • Roberts Line/Kairanga Bunnythorpe intersection
    • Rongotea Road/No. 1 Line intersection
    • Stoney Creek Road/Kelvin Grove Road intersection
    • Tiakitahuna to No.1 Line safety improvements
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  • East/west ring route

    These business cases will support the staged development of a plan for a future ring route around Palmerston North’s urban areas – ensuring a safe, reliable and efficient corridor for freight traffic while enabling a safer and more liveable Palmerston North.

    • Ashhurst to Bunnythorpe detailed business case
    • Feilding to Bunnythorpe detailed business case
    • Feilding to Palmerston North detailed business case
    • Improvements to support the North East Industrial Zone (NEIZ) business case
    • Longburn-Rongotea Road detailed business case
    • Ring route indicative business case
    • Stoney Creek Road detailed business case
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  • Palmerston North southern access improvements

    These projects will address safety and access issues on Palmerston North’s southern boundaries, including a second Manawatū River crossing.

    • Connections to Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road
    • River crossing detailed business case
    • Tennent Drive urban amenity improvements
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