A major highway project is moving forward in New Zealand

Plans are moving ahead for New Zealand's Transmission Gully highway project. The country’s Environmental Protection Agency has given its final approval for the construction of the 27km Transmission Gully project, which is expected to cost in the region of US$732.4 million (NZ$930 million). The project will be the largest road deal in Wellington region since the late 1970s and one of the largest infrastructure projects in New Zealand. The project is due for completion by 2021 and will likely include a road cut through the hills from Linden to State 1 Highway, north of Paekakariki. According to estimates, the route should reduce the time for journeys in and out of Wellington during peak hours by 10 minutes.