New Zealand highway project on track

Progress is being seen in New Zealand for the US$456.5 million (NZ$709 million) project to construct a highway connecting Puhoi with Warkworth. The new route will feature dual lanes in either direction and should be ready for traffic towards the end of 2021. Vehicle numbers are increasing in New Zealand and by 2026, the route is expected to carry 35,000 vehicles/day. The project includes extending the Northern Motorway and linking it to the SH1 routes, which involves removing 4 million m3 of spoil. Work to build seven new bridges along the route has been carried out by the Northern Express Group joint venture, which comprises the Spanish contractor 976 Acciona and the New Zealand firm Fletcher Building. The project is being handled under the PPP model and includes a 25-year concession package.