Waterview Connection one step closer

Auckland's Waterview Connection will require underground work at an 'unprecedented scale'. Photo / supplied

The contract to construct New Zealand's biggest and most complex roading project, the Waterview Connection, has been awarded to a consortium which includes Fletcher Construction.

The Well-Connected consortium, which also includes McConnell Dowell Constructors, Obayashi Corporation, PB New Zealand, Beca Infrastructure and Tonkin & Taylor, has won the tender to build the $2 billion Auckland motorway, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) announced today.

The project, to be completed by 2016, will complete the Western Ring Route, which will provide a 48km alternative to SH1 and will help to ease congestion and travel times for both freight and people, NZTA said.

Well-Connected will be responsible for constructing nearly 5km of new motorway that includes tunnels and interchanges that will connect the Southwestern and Northwestern Motorways.

NZTA chief executive Geoff Dangerfield said the project would require underground work at an unprecedented scale, in a country where road tunnels were relatively rare.

"It will need to be constructed through difficult terrain that consists of soft sedimentary rock and basalt lava flows.

"It won't be easy, but by constructing the project in an alliance between the NZTA and the private sector, we're ensuring that this project will be delivered as quickly as possible and with the very best value for money.

"Today's announcement marks a significant milestone towards a transport solution that will deliver many benefits for Aucklanders and for all of New Zealand,'' Mr Dangerfield said.

Graham Darlow, speaking on behalf of the winning consortium, said he was "absolutely delighted'' to have been chosen.

"We are looking forward to forming an alliance with the New Zealand Transport Agency to deliver what is the largest, and I would guess one of the most significant, projects in New Zealand.

"We're committed to delivering this important project as quickly as possible, and delivering great value for money, both to the road users of New Zealand and to the Government and the tax payers.

"We're always mindful as to why this Government has established these roads of national significance to make the roads safer, less congested, more reliable and also to boost the economy and we will deliver that.

"We're very much looking forward to completing the key part of the Western Ring Route,'' Mr Dallow said.

"This project is large and complex, and, speaking as an engineer, it's going to be a real challenge. We're really looking forward to the opportunity and we're taking our responsibilities really seriously,'' Mr Dallow said.

Minister of Transport Stephen Joyce said this was a "significant milestone'' in the work to complete the Western Ring Route.

"This is one of the most complex and exciting transport projects ever to be undertaken in this country. The project is hugely important, not only in terms of the benefits it will bring to Auckland, but to the whole country,'' he said.

Mr Joyce congratulated the successful consortium, and also commended Tuhuno, the other shortlisted consortium which was unsuccessful today.

The Tuhono consortium included Leighton Contractors, Fulton Hogan, John Holland, Aecom and Sinclair Knight Merz. Tuhono also included United Group and Keller New Zealand as proposed sub alliance partners.

- NZPA