The contract for the NZ Transport Agency involves the construction of the 13km stretch from Peka Peka to 艑taki. 鈥淭he tender process was extremely competitive, and the shortlist was assessed against a large number of criteria including overall cost, environmental management and community engagement,鈥� said NZ Transport Agency Wellington highway manager Neil Walker.
It is expected the project will cost approximately NZ$330m (拢182m), including site investigations, design, property costs and construction.
鈥淔letcher will now proceed with detailed design, environmental planning and other enabling works for the project,鈥� added Walker. 鈥淭his will include further community consultation. Major construction activities are planned to start in mid-2017.
The Peka Peka to 艑taki Expressway forms a key part of the Wellington Northern Corridor, which is one of the government鈥檚 roads of national significance. The Transmission Gully motorway, Mackays to Peka Peka and Peka Peka to 艑taki expressways are the main projects on the corridor.
Once these projects are complete, the Wellington鈥檚 central business district will be linked to the northern K膩piti Coast by about听 80km of four-lane, motorway, with a central barrier and grade separations throughout. It will improve safety, efficiency and journey reliability, while providing a more resilient route in the event of a natural disaster.
Enabling works will start early 2017. Major physical construction is planned to start in mid-2017 and the route is expected to open to traffic in 2020.
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