I challenge those who have never used the underpass to go and look at it before it is demolished in September and work out how it could possibly cost $33 million dollars to replace.
An alternative must be found to a controlled pedestrian crossing of a very busy intersection.
John Douglas
Mount Maunganui
Underpass decision
I was interested to read about the problem at Bayfair where a well-used underpass is to be demolished in September, causing all sorts of grief.
The replacement underpass has been cancelled. Too expensive. There is now talk of an overbridge! As you are dealing with the NZTA, insist that the overbridge is in place before the existing underpass is demolished.
This, in my opinion, is the only way to deal with NZTA. In the past, I have found their assurances not worth a candle.
The War Memorial Hall at Te Puna was demolished six years ago with an assurance from NZTA that a replacement hall would be built. They have at this time got as far as a Māori blessing of the foundation stone!
So don't give up what you are using until the replacement is in place.
Good luck.
Peter Turmer
Pyes Pa
Why are we always missing out?
So now the self-proclaimed honest, transparent and open Government - decides to cancel the Baypark underpass (News, July 9) for what they state, is a variety of reasons.
Roading programmes such as the previously approved northern arterial have been cancelled; the Tauranga City Council has had a falling out with the funding agency, Transit and other roading upgrades have been either cancelled or delayed indefinitely.
Funding to Tauranga, or for that matter the wider Bay of Plenty, from the Provincial Growth Fund, PGF, has been minimal indicating another possible example of the Government expressing its displeasure of Tauranga having the Leader of the Opposition as its MP.
Winston Peters, who once upon a time could not do enough for his electorate, Tauranga, has now shifted his allegiance to Northland and haven't they benefited from investments from the Provincial Growth Fund? (Abridged)
Mike Baker
Bethlehem
NZTA needs an overhaul
The NZ Transport Agency's reasons for scrapping the Bayfair underpass are, in my view, a continuing demonstration of incompetence.
f the estimated cost has apparently risen from $13 to $33 million, it raises significant issues, in my view, about NZTA's project development processes which are required to conform to Treasury's "Better Business Case" model.
To identify reasons that were cited in your newspaper like it has to carry the dead load of the ramps, ground improvement requirements, staging, etc confirms, in my opinion, incompetence in planning projects.
These issues and risks are basic and obvious engineering and would have identifiable in the preliminary planning. When it was around Transit NZ built the hugely complex central motorway junction and Grafton Gully motorway in Auckland and multiple other major projects within time and under budget. These were collaborations between Transit and the private sector. NZTA needs a complete overhaul. (Abridged)
Alan Bickers
Pyes Pa
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