Contractors call for swifter projects

Media Release – for immediate release
27 January 2010

Contractors call for swifter projects

New Zealand needs to continue to move towards swifter implementation of major roading projects, says the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation.

Chief Executive Jeremy Sole welcomed confirmation by the New Zealand Transport Agency of a $1.4 billion strategic upgrade of State Highway 1 from Puhoi to Wellsford.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said that early signs are that the first stage, from Puhoi to Warkworth, will be completed within nine years, making it “the fastest ever major highway project completed in this country from go to whoa”.

Mr Sole said: “This is certainly welcome news. New Zealand needs to move towards a model of getting these projects completed more swiftly.

“The New Zealand civil construction industry has the capacity to build these projects and, as long as the correct processes are in place, it makes sense to release the economic benefits they bring at the earliest opportunity.”

ENDS

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