The Waterview Connection includes two three-lane tunnels as well as widening and raising a causeway and carrying out other capacity improvement works. In parallel with seeking consent, NZTA is also nearing the completion of the tender process to construct the Waterview Connection Tunnels and Great North Road Interchange. Consortia led by Fletcher Construction and Leighton Contractors were shortlisted in November, with a Baulderstone team narrowly missing out on selection.
The scheme is intended to complete the Western Ring Route and unlock Auckland's potential for economic growth. "This is great news for both Auckland and New Zealand. The NZTA is delighted that the draft decision released by the Board is to give us consent to construct the Waterview Connection,” said NZTA state highways manager for Auckland and Northland Tommy Parker. “This will be the country's largest and most complex roading project to date, and it will deliver significant benefits to New Zealand.”
The scheme is the first road project to be considered using a new national consenting process. As part of the draft decision, some changes in detail have been made to the proposals. NZTA now has 20 days to review the draft before the board of inquiry releases its final decision on 30 June.
"We began the tender process in July last year,” said Parker. “Running this process in parallel with the consenting process will enable us to save up to a year in the construction timetable as well as enable us to make the most of favourable market conditions to get best market prices. We remain on track to awarding the construction in late August and construction will begin shortly after."
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
