11. Dr JACKIE BLUE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
How is work progressing on the Kōpū Bridge, 1 year since construction began?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Associate Minister of Transport) Link to this
Excellent progress has been made on the State Highway 25 Kōpū Bridge replacement project. Construction started 1 year ago. The anniversary was marked with the last of the four steel bridge beams that connect the middle span of the new bridge being lifted into place. These beams will support the concrete bridge deck. They will carry two lanes of traffic. In addition, the manufacturing of the steel girders has begun in Auckland. As promised, this project is delivering jobs and growth that would not have otherwise occurred.
Replacement of the Kōpū Bridge was not scheduled to start immediately under the previous Government, but we were able to bring forward the project as part of our $500 million jobs and growth plan. Piling and pier construction is under way in earnest, and the project is on track for completion in the middle of 2012. The accelerated progress of this project follows other recent good news, with the opening of the Manukau Harbour Crossing 7 months early, the announcement that the southern half of the Newmarket Viaduct is to open 6 months early, and the list goes on.
Mr SPEAKER