10 December 2004

Transit welcomes ALPURT B2 funding

Transit New Zealand today welcomed Land Transport New Zealand’s decision to release the first $20 million of its previously approved partial grant for constructing ALPURT B2.

Following extensive community consultation, Transit has proposed constructing ALPURT B2, a 7.5 km extension of the northern motorway out of Auckland, using a combination of funding from tolls and the National Land Transport Programme.

“This grant will enable a start to the construction programme. A full decision to proceed with the project remains subject to the Government’s decision to agree that the toll road proceeds. This approval will be subject to tolling and funding issues being resolved and the statutory criteria being met. Transit anticipates being in the position to meet these criteria by March/April,” said Mr Stubbs.

Mr Stubbs said that beginning construction this summer would help Transit deliver on its undertaking to the local community to commence construction as soon as possible and effectively save a year on the construction period by gaining a summer season.

“It will also enable us to meet our obligation to the Environment Court to provide certainty over how much longer it will be necessary to use Grand Drive as the State Highway link.”

The work includes an access road, shoulder widening south of Titford’s Bridge and the building of a retaining wall at the northern portal of the twin tunnels. Ground improvements, stream diversion, the installation of permanent culverts and silt controls are also scheduled, along with pre-bridge construction activities and enabling works to provide access to the tunnel site.

The Northern Gateway Alliance, which is project managing, designing and constructing the motorway, is comprised of Transit New Zealand, Fulton Hogan, Leighton Contractors, URS New Zealand, Tonkin & Taylor and Boffa Miskell.

Work will begin next week.

ENDS

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