Press release

Auckland Harbour Tunnel should be fast tracked

The New Zealand Contractors Federation is urging the government to fast track plans to build a new Auckland tunnel.

CEO Richard Michael welcomes the government's "forward thinking and initiative" for both the tunnel proposal and the Auckland Transport Plan but says the decision not to build the tunnel until 2020 should be reviewed.

"2020 seems a very long way off and we encourage the region and the government to accelerate those plans. This crossing is needed as soon as possible and could conceivably be built in five years," says Mr Michael.

"The civil construction industry in New Zealand has the capacity and talent to build this tunnel now and it will be a great step forward for both Auckland and New Zealand.

"If construction is delayed for that long then the congestion in Auckland will worsen and slow down the economy both in the city and nationally."

However, Mr Michael says it is also vital that government takes a longer term view and invests in training in preparation for other essential large scale projects.

"NZCF has been calling for the development of a 20-year infrastructure plan and the Auckland Transport Plan would make up part of that," he says. "This is the type of plan we need for the whole of New Zealand. A 10 year horizon is too short.

"A lot of these projects are extremely large scale. We need to take a long term look at all the infrastructure requirements so that the government and communities have the chance to get used to what these projects will mean and the industry can build the resource base needed to get the job done.

"Certainty of funding and work programme will allow the industry to deliver these projects on time and at the best possible price. A training plan is important and should form part of the procurement process."

ENDS

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