Cost Blowouts Throws Transport Plan Into Chaos
November 27th, 2008
The fate of some major transport infrastructure projects planned for the greater Christ-church area now hangs in the balance. The problem is the total cost of the planned programme of major roadworks for the next 10 years has escalated well beyond the estimated $1.19bn effectively throwing into chaos the region’s entire transport blueprint for the next decade. The issue has been discussed by the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee which is now having to decide which projects will proceed and which will be delayed or even cancelled.
Motorway Extension In Doubt. The biggest casualty may be the most expensive project on the list – the proposed Southern Motorway extension from Curletts Road to west of Hornby. It has been costed at $110m but the price tag has risen substantially although NZTA is refusing to say how much. The NZ Transport Agency’s Canterbury and West Coast Regional Director, Mark Yaxley, says the estimated figure has been kept confidential so it can get the best tender price. Committee Chairwoman, Jo Kane, has confirmed the motorway extension’s priority on the list at the very least will change.
Priorities Reassessed. The initial infrastructure programme is based on 2007 dollars and to further complicate the issue Canterbury Councils have yet to decided how the $145m shortfall already identified can be met although a fuel tax or road tolls have been suggested.As a result of the cost blowouts and funding shortfall, Kane says all costs and priorities will be reconsidered after which there will be community consultation. “We will be looking at all projects; they have to be reviewed to make sure they still fit and see if the local share, if each individual council, can match and fund their share.”
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