Subscribe to RSS$150m For Waikato Expressway
While we are focused on Auckland’s future rail projects being held up because of a budget shortage, the next move for the Waikato Expressway has been given the green light.
A $150 million contract has been awarded today for the construction of the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway .
Work starts in September.
Work has already commenced on the 7.3km Te Rapa and 2.2km Taupiri Link sections of the Expressway.
Work on the 102km Waikato Expressway will be completed in 2019.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said today, the Expressway “will improve economic growth and productivity for Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty through more efficient movement of people and freight.”
Today finance Minister Bill English in a speech warned again of the government axe coming and the end to non essential government services. talking of “pressure to deliver better services for little or no extra money.”
8 Comments
whats the BCR on this I wonder. Yes it would be nice to have but not convinced it is urgent, considering the govt keeps telling us the sky is falling.
Luke I don’t think they look at these projects individually but the BCR for the whole Waikato espressway is less than 1.
Dirty Lying scum bags, that sums it up in one easy sentence, thinking that there’s an unlimited supply of motorway money whereas rail transport suffers. It’s no wonder Auckland council is desiding to go alone.
Makes your blood boil doesn’t it, instead of going forwards we are taking a giant step back, even despite high oil prices around the world, Christchurch earthquake, etc. “We must save money this year to help Christchurch” what a load of crap Joyce, then you wouldn’t be funding this pet project. The CBD has national importance, far great BCR but yet it falls to death ears.
Election 2011 I certaintly won’t be voting National!
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said today, the Expressway “will improve economic growth and productivity for Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty through more efficient movement of people and freight.”What about the CBD loop,
And……………………..what about the long awaited CBD rail loop, britomart will suffer from severe future chaos if nothing is done about it and the Auckland Council knows it. It’s a good thing that we have the right type of people who can guide us to a sustainable future. No wonder they want to act alone, the government obviously doesn’t share their view.
BD, they don’t WANT to act alone - but for the time being, that’s the only thing they can do. Thankfully, the planning and designation phase isn’t so costly yet. But watch National trying everything to derail even that.
As soon as i get my trademe account, im gonna annouce this news to the general discussion thread. Hopefully it would get some attention then.
im infuriated at the National government, and Labour is now just as bad.
Guys i don’t think BCR stuff comes into this.
I’m very pro rail and PT but having grown up in the area I know just how dangerous it is for New Zealand’s busiest motorway to pass right though the township (Ngaruawahia), having nearly been run over twice at a crossing.
Martin, it is a highway not a motorway. I also think SH1 passes on the western edge.