Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
An additional two safety and quality assurance tests were met last week by CPB HEB, the builder of Transmission Gully, while work continued onsite on pavement remediation and the stormwater system.
Out of 100 safety and quality assurance tests currently required under the PPP contract before the road can safely and legally open, as at 28 January 2022, 54 final test submissions have been received from CPB HEB, of which 41 have been accepted by the Independent Reviewer as meeting the required standards.
Examples of safety and quality assurance tests not yet completed by CPB HEB include tests verifying that any construction defects have been appropriately rectified, tests that relate to compliance with pavement and surfacing requirements, and other tests that show the contractor is operationally ready for road opening.
There were no additional consent tasks completed during the week, however the remaining 10 tasks are well advanced. As at 28 January 2022, 32 consent tasks were complete and 10 consent tasks remained outstanding. Two of these outstanding tasks relate to stormwater management. A fully functioning stormwater system, capable of treating road run-off water to the required standard must be operational for road opening.
Completion of the safety and quality assurance tests by WGP and CPB HEB, alongside meeting consent conditions, are ultimately what will determine when the road can open.
Under the terms of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract for the project, road opening is determined by Transmission Gully contractor WGP and their subcontractor CPB HEB Joint Venture meeting all contractually agreed safety and quality assurance tests. Building a road that meets these tests is the responsibility of WGP and CPB HEB. Assessing whether or not the tests have been met is the responsibility of the Independent Reviewer. This is how Waka Kotahi ensures we are getting what we are paying for on behalf of the public in terms of quality, safety and performance over the period of the contract.
Waka Kotahi is continuing to work with the contractor Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP) and subcontractor CPB HEB to determine how much time they need to complete the work required to safely and legally open the road. We expect to have an update on opening as soon as a timeframe for completing the required work is known .
