End in sight for troubled motorway
WELLINGTON: Construction of Wellington’s troubled Transmission Gully motorway is now more than 85% complete and the NZ Transport Agency is confident it will open next September.
The 27km road has suffered delays, cost blowouts, and is now the subject of a Governmentordered review.
It was meant to be open by April this year; then it was pushed back to before Christmas this year; and now it is due to open in September 2021.
The project is being built through a publicprivate partnership, the Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP), with CPB Contractors and HEB Construction subcontracted to carry out the design and construction.
The total cost of the road has climbed to $1.25 billion after NZTA bailed out contractors twice due to issues including the Kaikoura earthquake, extreme weather events and the Covid19 pandemic.
But Wellington Gateway Partnership chief executive
Sergio Mejia said yesterday he could see the light at the end of the tunnel and was confident the road would open next
September.
‘‘I’m certain we’re going to hit the target.
‘‘We’re fully committed and we’re on schedule.’’
Mr Mejia said he was proud of the team working on the fourlane motorway that will run from Mackays Crossing to Linden.
There are 570 people working on site.
When Transmission Gully opens, about 25,000 vehicles are expected to use it each day. — The New Zealand Herald