01
24 February 2014
Leighton Contractors signs motorway upgrade contract in Auckland
The NZ Transport Agency and Leighton Contractors have signed a contract to upgrade a two kilometre section of Auckland’s
State Highway16 (Northwestern motorway), from the St Lukes Road interchange in Western Springs to the Great North Road
interchange in Waterview.
Under the NZ $70 million contract, Leighton Contractors will widen the motorway from three to four lanes in each
direction and make improvements to ramps and the motorway overbridge at the St Lukes Interchange. The new layout and
additional lanes will relieve congestion and improve safety in the area.
The project is part of the Transport Agency’s Western Ring Route, which will provide an alternative motorway link
between Manukau City and Albany, bypassing Auckland’s city centre and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Leighton Contractors New Zealand General Manager, Andrew Stevens, said: “This is a vital section of the Western Ring
Route, which when complete, will significantly improve access and connectivity for Auckland’s commuters and freight
carriers.
“Working with the Transport Agency, we look forward to contributing our experience from similar projects both here and
overseas. This project complements the work we are delivering nearby on the SH16 Causeway upgrade, as a member of the
Causeway Alliance."
Leighton Contractors has been involved in a number of major road developments in recent years including the Northern
Gateway Toll Road, SH20 Manukau Motorway Extension and Newmarket Viaduct replacement project.
“Leighton Contractors is committed to New Zealand’s infrastructure development. Our operations here have grown steadily
over the past 10 years. Today we employ approximately 3,000 people – more than 700 direct employees and more than 2,300
subcontractors across our infrastructure, mining, services and telecommunication operations,” Mr Stevens said.
The Leighton Contractors led Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP), was recently selected by the NZTA as preferred
proponent to deliver the NZ $1 billion Transmission Gully Motorway, under an availability based Public Private
Partnership arrangement. The project involves financing, designing, building, maintaining and operating the planned link
between Linden and MacKays Crossing, north of Wellington, for up to 25 years.
ENDS