There is still a lot of work to do before Transmission Gully can open, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Work includes finishing construction as well as meeting the safety and quality tests and consent tasks. The tests are important, not just to meet contractual requirements, but so that there are no major issues that need to be repaired after the road has opened which could mean frustrating closures for motorists.

The work is being done by contractor Wellington Gateway Partnership, and its sub-contractor, CPB HEB Joint Venture.

There are 100 safety and quality assurance tests that must be met by the builder before the road can open. There are also 45 consent tasks that need to be completed to meet the requirements for road opening, which then need to be signed off by Greater Wellington Regional Council and/or the relevant territorial authorities.

As of the latest update provided by Waka Kotahi, 47 final test submissions have been received from the builder, of which 30 have been accepted by the Independent Reviewer as meeting the required specifications. Thirty-eight partial submissions have been made and 15 tests are yet to be submitted, and 17 of the consent tasks have been completed. Of the 28 remaining consent tasks, 26 are underway and have been progressed to varying degrees, and two are not yet started.

“There has been some good progress on consent tasks, with many close to being complete, but work continues on the stormwater system which is a significant consent requirement for road opening,” Waka Kotahi said.

The agency said it expects to be able to provide an update on road opening within the next week.