The NZ Transport Agency has awarded the contract to build the Kamo Bypass to the Whangarei-based civil engineering company, United Civil.
The project, valued at an estimated $13M, will provide a high quality connection on State Highway 1 between Western Hills Drive and the existing bypass north of Kamo Road. Work on the project is expected to start in the next two or three weeks.
“We are delighted that we are now able to move forward to the next stage and begin construction on these improvements that are so important to Whangarei itself and the wider Northland region,” said the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Northland, Tommy Parker.
News of the successful tender was announced at a ceremony in Whangarei this morning (Thursday 15 April) to mark the official start of work on the bypass and other improvements to SH1 through the city. The improvements, which are estimated to cost around $51M in total, are part of the NZTA’s Keeping Whangarei Moving partnership with Whangarei District Council (WDC).
Mr Parker said the improvements would deliver several benefits that will contribute to the economic development of the city and the region.
“Jobs will be created during construction, and when the projects are completed it’ll be easier and safer to travel around and through Whangarei for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”
Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff said he was delighted to see the start of the improvements.
“This council has worked hard with NZTA to meet the Government’s call for infrastructure to drive economic growth, and we are very pleased that the importance of this project to Northland’s economy has been recognised. State Highway 1 is the economic lifeline between Northland and the rest of New Zealand, and we will continue to work with NZTA to see further improvements,” Mr Semenoff said.
The WDC is also extending Spedding Road to Tikipunga as part of the Kamo Bypass project. Other improvements include:
The first phase of improvements to Kamo Road/Kensington Avenue was completed earlier this year, and further investigations to improve capacity along this section of SH1 are underway.
The NZTA has also lodged applications with the WDC for consent to upgrade the SH1/SH14 intersection and four-lane SH1 between Fourth and Selwyn Avenues. Depending on the approval process work on one of these two projects could start in July this year, said Mr Parker.
All of the Whangarei improvements are expected to be completed within three years.
