Contractors impressed by Victoria Park fast track

Media Release – for immediate release
3 April 2009

Contractors’ Federation impressed that Victoria Park fast tracked

The New Zealand Contractors’ Federation has welcomed the Government’s initiative to get Auckland moving by bringing forward the start date for the Victoria Park project on State Highway 1 by ten months.

Jeremy Sole, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation said, “This is well overdue and will reduce traffic build up at this bottleneck.

“Construction is due to start in January 2010 so Auckland will benefit from this sooner rather than later. It’s a real investment in Auckland’s future.”

Transport Minister Steven Joyce announced yesterday that construction on the Victoria Park project will commence almost a year earlier than previously planned as part of the Government’s billion dollar investment in state highways.

The project was originally set down to start in November 2010 but was brought forward partly because the Victoria Park section has been recently identified as a Road of National Significance.

“It’s impressive that the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has the feel of an agency on a mission. The momentum and freedom provided by the Government has helped them to take the brakes off, do what they do well and to work with industry to enable the smooth and swift implementation of major project initiatives.”

“As an industry, we welcome working with Government and the NZTA to boost New Zealand’s infrastructure, especially priority projects.”

“Victoria Park is a start to getting Auckland moving. We also look forward to renewed debate around an additional harbour crossing.”

ENDS

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