Transmission Gully earthworks estimates out by 50 per cent - but builders say it's still on schedule

Thursday, 21 September 2017

Initial estimates were that 6.5m cubic metres of earth would need to be moved. The motorway partnership has now applied for consents to shift a further 3m cubic metres.

Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP) has confirmed it is seeking new resource consents for an extra three million cubic metres of earthworks at Transmission Gully – but says the road will still open on schedule in April 2020.

WGP originally applied for consents for about 6m cubic metres of earthworks. The extra consenting costs are expected to total about $50,000, which was within the project's budget, chief executive Sergio Mejia said on Thursday.

Earthworks for the $850 million Transmission Gully motorway have been underestimated by 4.1 million cubic metres.

'We're working closely with relevant consenting authorities and the New Zealand Transport Agency to ensure there are no impacts on project timeframes.'

**READ MORE:

Engineers have described the 27km motorway as one of the most technically challenging projects ever seen in New Zealand.

* Aerial images reveal Transmission Gully progress**

* **Weather a challenge but Transmission Gully on track for 2020

Transport Minister Simon Bridges, right, declared earlier this year that the project was 'on time and on budget'. The partnership says this is still the case.

* Simon Bridges says Transmission Gully project on time and on budget

* From goats to graders: Transmission Gully finally takes** shape

The $50,000 costs of the extra consents are still within the project's budget, the partnership says.

The underestimation of the earthworks required for the 27-kilometre motorway from Mackays Crossing to Linden, described by engineers as one of the most challenging projects ever seen in New Zealand, was not uncommon in big roading projects, Mejia said.

'It's not unusual for volume increases of this scale once detailed design and specifications are finalised.

'It is common for contractors to need to seek additional consents to account for those changes in scope.'

About 15 of the 20 extra consents had been approved by Greater Wellington Regional Council and associated local councils, he said.

The regional council's environment committee has called for an update on the project after learning of the consent issues.

Committee chairwoman Sue Kedgley said it defied belief that the project estimates had so badly undershot.

'I can't imagine how you can get it so wrong that you underestimate the earthworks by that amount,' she said.

'It really stretches credulity and doesn't inspire confidence in the project.'

Project director Boyd Knights admitted last month that wet winter weather had slowed construction, but said he still expected the project to be completed on time.

In April, Transport Minister Simon Bridges declared the project was 'on time and on budget'.

WGP, a private group of financiers and contractors, hold the contract to maintain the four-lane motorway for 25 years after construction.

Together with the $630m Kapiti expressway further north, and a project under way to solve congestion in Wellington central, it is hoped the motorway will make the journey in and out of the capital safer and faster.