The opening date for Transmission Gully has been delayed due to Covid-19, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The agency is working with the Transmission Gully Public Private Partnership contractor, Wellington Gateway Partnership, and its subcontractor, CPB HEB Joint Venture, to confirm a new opening date for the motorway.

“WGP and CPB HEB have advised Waka Kotahi that the recent Covid-19 lockdown, alert level 3 restrictions, and supply chain constraints as a result of the extended lockdown in Auckland have impacted on their ability to meet the contractually agreed opening date of 27 September 2021,” said Brett Gliddon, Waka Kotahi general manager transport services.

“Work has resumed on the project under the appropriate health and safety protocols since the move to alert level 3, then alert level 2, in Wellington. However these new delays, on top of the risk that already existed around achieving the contractually agreed opening date, mean it is clear that the motorway will not be ready to open on 27 September,” Gliddon said.

As well as finishing works, there are other critical requirements that also need to be met by WGP and CPB HEB before the 27km motorway can legally be opened for public use. This includes safety and asset quality assurance work, and compliance with environmental consent conditions.