Infrastructure: Waikato Expressway completion may be delayed
March 3rd, 2010
The Govt and its transport agency are at odds over the Govt’s pledge to complete the Waikato expressway within 10 years with new figures released by the NZ Transport Agency indicating it will not be completed within the promised timeframe due to funding constraints. Data tabled at Waikato’s regional transport committee meeting by NZTA show the Hamilton bypass section of the expressway, expected to cost $550m to $650m, is not now scheduled for completion until 2024-25, with construction not starting until 2018-19.
News of the delay has surprised local politicians. Chairman of Hamilton City Council transport committee Dave Macpherson expressed concerned the new timeframe is six to seven years after the 10-year promise made by the Govt with construction not even starting until the expiry of the original timeframe. Transport Minister Steven Joyce has moved quickly to try to play down the prospect of delays. He says the NZTA suggestion the Hamilton bypass section completion date has been revised is “not the final word” and is subject to change as the Govt does all it can to complete the project within the planned timeframe. He adds the Hamilton bypass is “a challenging one” to complete but he doesn’t accept the agency’s timetable as “final” and the Govt will get as close as possible within the 10-year window.
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