Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will make advance payments available to roading contractors so that the industry will be ready to hit the ground running to deliver vital projects and help get New Zealand moving when the country moves out of the current Level 4 Covid-19 Alert lock down.
Waka Kotahi General Manager Transport Services Brett Gliddon says support is being offered for non-essential services in the form of advance entitlement payments for contractors with projects currently in construction as part of the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
Mr Gliddon says the state highway projects being delivered across New Zealand through the NLTP will be needed more than ever when New Zealand gets back to work after the shutdown period.
“The state highway network is the backbone of New Zealand’s transport system, carrying the bulk of critical freight and enabling people to travel safely. New Zealand needs the projects being delivered by our contractors, and the construction of these projects is also expected to play a big part in our economic recovery.”
Mr Gliddon says the road construction industry had responded quickly to Waka Kotahi’s call to shut down capital projects and stop other non-essential work during the Level 4 Covid-19 Alert.
“While this work stoppage is necessary to help break the chain of transmission of Covid-19, we recognise that it has major implications for our contractors and for sub-contractors who are committed to delivering a huge programme of work for New Zealand. Making advance payments available is the right thing to do and it will ensure that contractors have a workforce ready and able to get stuck in to the job of delivering crucial infrastructure for New Zealand when these restrictions are lifted. Not only does New Zealand need this infrastructure, its construction will now play a key role in the country’s economic recovery.”
While critical state highway maintenance work is continuing to be carried out in order to ensure the safe movement of essential goods and to provide support for lifeline functions during New Zealand’s current Covid-19 response, all non-essential work on capital projects was halted when New Zealand entered Level 4 last week.
Further information on Waka Kotahi’s support package of advanced entitlement payments for contractors who currently have NLTP funded projects in construction with Waka Kotahi can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/covid19-aep
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