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Motorists who thought they may be able to take the fast lane to Auckland before Christmas will be disappointed.
Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) has scotched rumours that the opening of the new motorway between Puhoi and Warkworth is imminent.
Already a year behind schedule due to Covid, Waka Kotahi says there are still earthworks, surface drainage, planting, kerbing and road surfacing to be done.
Transport services general manager Brett Gliddon says extensive quality and safety tests must also be completed.
The Matakana link road is scheduled to open in tandem with the new motorway next year.
The motorway is being delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP). The Northern Express Group (NX2) consortium is responsible for the financing, design, construction and then maintenance of the motorway for the 25 years that will follow the build.
Gliddon says under the terms of the PPP arrangements, the road opening can only be confirmed once an independent reviewer is satisfied that all contractually agreed safety and quality assurance requirements and tests have been met.
He says building a road that meets these tests is the responsibility of NX2 and its subcontractor, Fletcher/Acciona joint venture.
“Waka Kotahi, NX2 and Fletcher/Acciona are fully committed to working together to complete the project to the required safety and quality assurance standards as soon as possible and look forward to opening the motorway next year,” Gliddon says.
