The infrastructure industry says the handling of the tender process for two big Auckland transport projects is exactly what it has been asking for over the past few years.
Planning for projects like Auckland Light Rail is going smoothly. Photo: Supplied
The government's tender process for Auckland Light Rail is being co-ordinated together with the tender process for the Additional Waitematā Harbour Connections project, to help the industry plan over the longterm.
Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Claire Edmondson said putting the two projects together made sense in that they will create a strong pipeline of work over the next couple of decades.
"It was recommended in the infrastructure Commission's strategy ... that the industry needs more certainty of work and pipeline of priority projects," Edmondson said, adding the long pipeline of work would provide the industry with a much-needed boost.
"The sector can respond to that and start recruiting people into the country that are needed, so that we've got the skills here, and that we know what skills we need over the next 10, 20, 30 years," she said.
"We know that there's an infrastructure deficit in New Zealand. We know that there hasn't been a pipeline of work and certainty for the industry. So projects end up happening ad hoc.
"So I think to have this going out to tender as two projects like this, in one process is great for New Zealand."
Edmondson said the size and scale of the projects were likely to attract a domestic and international response.
"Light rail alone is a massive catalyst for economic development, job creation, reduced travel times and connected Auckland's communities, including those that are not on the public transport network," she said.