'Early and on budget' - Highway repair lauded as blueprint
The State Highway 25A Taparahi Bridge reopened on 20 December after a massive landslip destroyed part of the road during storms in January 2023. Photo: NZTA Waka Kotahi / James Davis
The speedy repair of a storm-damaged Coromandel Peninsula highway has set the standard for future projects, a leader in the infrastructure industry says.
State Highway 25A was ripped apart by storms in January 2023, limiting access to several towns including Whangamatā, Tairua and Pauanui.
But Infrastructure NZ chief executive Nick Leggett said clever planning by the Transport Agency allowed crews to finish the repairs three months earlier than expected.
"It was early and on budget, which is quite rare when it comes to infrastructure projects," he said.
"Getting it done before the peak season has had really major economic benefits, it has added about $85 million of economic activity to that community by getting this done three months early."
The slip cut off a major transport route across the Coromandel Peninsula for much fo 2023. Photo: Nick Monro
Leggett said the repairs should be used as an example of an infrastructure project done right.
"They took their time to scope what they needed and they got a better result," he said.
"We've come up with a group of recommendations for the new Minister of Transport and the new Minister of Infrastructure around the economic benefits of getting these projects done faster and with more certainty."
A before (above) and after composite picture of a damaged 124m bridge on State Highway 25a, which was rebuilt after the slip. Photo: Waka Kotahi
Leggett said the government could take steps to streamline the process for large projects.
"We've suggested the Minister of Transport could empower the NZTA board to adopt a more mature approach to procurement," he said.
"We also said the infrastructure agencies could adopt more of a standardised approach, that means more pre-fabrications and perhaps more standardised designs where appropriate."
He said it was important to move past the race-to-the-bottom attitude that valued price above all else.
"Currently, value is solely recognised by what is lowest cost, whereas real value is achieved through more careful planning followed by faster delivery of projects that do not cut corners on design or materials," he said.
"This provides a rapid return for economic productivity and allows local communities and businesses to recover faster."