Environment Canterbury chairman Sir Kerry Burke said the package, to cover the next 10 years, was "ground breaking" for Canterbury and recognised the collaboration between local authorities in the region, from Waimate and Mackenzie District Councils in the south to Kaikoura in the north.
"This funding means that projects can be delivered in the next 10 years, not in 20 or 25 years, when population and economic pressures would have made issues much harder to solve," Sir Kerry said.
Projects ranged from major roading improvements to cycle lanes and walkways.
The funding for the Canterbury Transport Project was in a pre-budget announcement yesterday by Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Transport Minister Annette King.
The transport project is a joint approach by Canterbury local authorities and Transit NZ working together, which had been recognised by the Government.
In the southern part of the region, projects which could benefit include the estimated $18.1 million replacement of the 127-year-old timber twin bridges across the Waitaki River at Kurow.
That project is at present being assessed by Transit NZ for inclusion on the works programme, although no dates have yet been set for work.
However, a consultant had estimated the bridges would reach the end of their economic life in 2014.
Other major projects on the Canterbury Transport Plan in the Mackenzie and Waimate districts include: Haldon Rd seal extension, Mackenzie, $2.5 million; Lilybank Rd seal extension, Mackenzie $1.5 million; Elliots bridge widening, Mackenzie, $1.2 million; Inmans Bridge, Mackenzie, $1.2 million; SH79 passing lanes, Mackenzie, $1 million; widening Inmans to Elliots, Mackenzie, $1 million, Tasman Valley Rd seal extension, Mackenzie, $600,000; Burkes Pass curve realignment, Mackenzie, $600,000; Holme Station corner bridge replacement, Waimate, $400,000.
