New Zealand's transport plans

New Zealand's Government is now setting budgets for transport improvements. In Auckland transport projects look set to commence following a design agreement worth US$10.52 million. This will be for the $937 million eastern suburban transport projects package. Transport consultancy firm 1523 Opus is being hired to design a $102 million road with bus lanes between Morrin Road and the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway connecting the new Stonefields suburb. The transport committee of 1012 Auckland City Council approved the design work, which is required to begin projects worth some $141 million around Panmure. The projects include the mega-roundabout's replacement or abolition and a new road with four lanes. Later, Opus will also have to design an additional extension north to Merton Road. The construction of the Panmuse stage of Ameti is scheduled to commence in 2012 and finish in 2019. Other traffic upgrades between the Panmure Bridge and highway will also be designed by Opus. Meanwhile an $8.44 million contract was granted by the Transport Agency for route study work on a planned 38km highway. This includes construction of a dual-carriage expressway and a four-lane extension between Warkworth and the Northern Gateway toll motorway. Undertaken by 1524 Sinclair Knight Merz, an engineering and environmental specialist, the investigation is scheduled for completion within 15 months. The mega project between the north of Wellsford and Puhoi may cost up to $1.4 billion.