Gully link road work begins

It was years in the planning, and last Thursday the first sod was turned to start construction on the Transmission Gully link roads to Porirua.

The Waitangirua and Whitby link roads are Porirua City’s component of the Transmission Gully project.

Porirua mayor Nick Leggett said the people of Porirua had never wavered in their support for Transmission Gully.

‘‘The link roads will radically modernise transport connections to our city, but what’s really exciting is the huge social and economic benefits that will transform our city and the region,’’ he said.

Leggett was joined in Waitangirua by Derrick Adams, chief executive of HEB Construction, to turn the first sod for the $40 million project, the biggest investment ever made in the city.

Construction of the motorway and link roads combined will employ up to 700 people on the site, and many others in off-site support.

The Whitby link road will be 1.4 kilometres and will connect with the 1.9km Waitangirua link road at the new James Cook interchange.

Transmission Gully will significantly reduce traffic volumes along the existing section of State Highway 1 through Mana, Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay.

After the event, Maraeroa Marae kaumatua and kuia welcomed the group and shared some of their history with the 40 people who attended the sod turning.

The Waitangirua link road passes next to Maraeroa marae.