Contract Let For Duplicate Upper Harbour Bridge

Transit New Zealand has let a $29.6 million contract to Fletcher Construction Ltd for the construction of a duplicate Upper Harbour Bridge and widening of the existing causeway on the Hobsonville side of the bridge.

Work on the 460m-long balanced cantilever bridge (3 lanes plus a pedestrian/cycleway) on the northern side adjacent to the existing bridge, and an 860m causeway, will begin in mid February with completion scheduled by mid 2006.

The bridge duplication and causeway form an integral part of the State Highway 18 Upper Harbour Motorway which will see the construction of a 15km, 4-lane motorway from the Northwestern Motorway to the Albany Highway.

Early enabling work has already started on the 5km Greenhithe section of the motorway which is also scheduled to be completed during 2006. The 6km Hobsonville section, subject to the finalisation of resource consent appeals, is due to be completed in 2008.

The new motorway, which also includes extending the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) to Brigham Creek Road, will form an important link in the Western Ring Route creating an alternate route around the Auckland CBD from Manukau City to the Northern Motorway.