Wellington Regional Office Media Release

12 January 2005

New Waiohine Bridge temporarily postponed

Transit New Zealand has temporarily postponed the replacement of the Waiohine Bridge on State Highway 2 between Carterton and Greytown until later this year. The single tender price received by Transit significantly exceeded the finance available for the project.

Transit project manager Peter Ward said only one tender was received for the project despite a number of contractors being made aware of the work.

“We have had a number of large projects come on stream recently in the Wellington region. This, combined with bridging and repair work after the storms in the Manawatu last year, as well as new works nationwide has meant that contractors have their hands full.”

Mr Ward said that the industry-wide demand for contracting services has also resulted in higher prices than are normally expected in a competitive environment.

“After advising the contributing local authorities – Greater Wellington Regional Council and the South Wairarapa and Carterton district councils -– Transit has decided to postpone the work.

“We will talk with the contracting industry to determine the best time to readvertise the contract and envisage that we will still start the work this year,” said Mr Ward.

ENDS