Tenders called for New Zealand’s biggest-ever roading project

The Waterview Connection will link the Southwestern motorway (SH20) with the Northwestern motorway (SH16), and form an integral part of the Western Ring Route

The NZ Transport Agency announced in July that it is to call tenders to build the Waterview Connection, the biggest and most complex roading project ever conceived for New Zealand. The 4.5 km long Waterview Connection, linking the Southwestern motorway (SH20) with the Northwestern motorway (SH16), includes two three-lane tunnels for 2.5 km of the route.

NZTA chief executive Geoff Dangerfield says they are up to the challenge of delivering a project of this size, and industry agrees. “There will be a strong bidding process for the completion of the Waterview Connection,” says Stephen Selwood, chief executive of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development (NZCID) “Already there are three separate consortia ready to bid on the completion of this project by 2015.” In each case the consortia involve both New Zealand and international companies.

Chris Olsen, chief executive of Roading New Zealand, agrees. “New Zealand industry has the capacity and access to the specialist expertise, both locally and internationally, which will be required to carry out the work to the highest possible standard,” he says.

Mr Dangerfield says a project of this scale will attract international interest and could create over 1000 jobs in construction-related activities at the peak of activity. “The creation of jobs is always hugely welcome,” concurs Mr Olsen, “and this project presents a wonderful opportunity for the entire roading sector to substantially upskill.”

A project of this scale is a first for New Zealand, says Mr Dangerfield, adding that it will deliver many benefits for the country and the region. “This is an ideal time to tender as the current economic conditions enable us to get the best market prices. It confirms our commitment to deliver the project as quickly as possible and with the best value for money,” he adds.

Parallel process

Calling tenders for Waterview Connection works follows a decision by the NZTA’s board to approve funding of up to $2 billion to complete Auckland’s Western Ring Route, one of the government’s roads of national significance (RoNS).

The NZTA will run the tender process in parallel with its application for statutory approvals through the new national consenting process, a decision, Mr Selwood says, that has multiple advantages: “Not only does it mean that construction can commence sooner than would have otherwise been possible, but it will also allow both design and construction innovation to be brought to the table as part of the consenting process.

“Preferably the consents will be in the form of the outcomes the region is seeking, rather than requiring detailed step-by-step design,” he adds. “Describing an envelope of effects which clearly specifies the standards of performance for air, noise and water quality, together with the expectations of the community that the project must deliver, will then encourage competitive design and construction innovation to meet or exceed those standards.”

Mr Dangerfield says that running the two in parallel will save the NZTA up to a year in the construction timetable as well as offering significant savings on the overall cost of the project. No construction will start until all the necessary consents and approvals are in place.

RoNS on target

Registrations of interest to tender closed 21 July, and the NZTA was due to lodge its route designation and resource consent applications with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as NZCN went to print. It anticipates awarding the contract in August next year, dependent on the outcome of the statutory approval process.

Completing the Western Ring Route is one of the government’s seven RoNS projects to support and enable economic growth for the country. It involves extending State Highway 20 to link with the Northwestern motorway (SH16) at the Great North Road interchange, together with capacity improvements along the Northwestern motorway from the St Lukes interchange to Westgate.

Once completed, the entire Western Ring Route will provide a 48 km alternative to SH1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, reducing congestion and providing more reliable travel times for both freight and people. The SH20/SH16 connection is expected to be operational from 2016, and the overall target is to have all seven RoNS completed by 2020.