Skip to main content

New Zealand bypass project attracts controversy

New Zealand’s Mount Messenger bypass project has attracted some controversy and opposition. The 5.2km route will cost around US$129 million (NZ$200 million) to construct and will include two bridges as well as a tunnel section. The alignment has been selected from five options as it minimise environmental damage. However there are complaints from environmentalists that the project will damage a 44ha area that includes forest and wetlands as well as posing a threat to some endangered bird life.
July 18, 2019 Read time: 1 min

New Zealand’s Mount Messenger bypass project has attracted some controversy and opposition. The 5.2km route will cost around US$129 million (NZ$200 million) to construct and will include two bridges as well as a tunnel section. The alignment has been selected from five options as it minimise environmental damage. However there are complaints from environmentalists that the project will damage a 44ha area that includes forest and wetlands as well as posing a threat to some endangered bird life.

Related Content

  • New Zealand highway proposed
    June 15, 2021
    A potentially controversial tolled highway project has been proposed for New Zealand's South Island.
  • New Zealand highway project proving controversial
    February 27, 2018
    The East-West highway connection project in Auckland is proving controversial. Several community groups are lodging appeals against the US$1.37 billion (NZ$1.85 billion) project, despite it having been approved recently by the New Zealand: Government. The groups appealing against the highway link project now include Jackson Electrical, Mercury Energy, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, iwi Ngati Whatua and The Onehunga Enhancement Society (TOES).
  • Key New Zealand highway upgrade, budget set
    April 20, 2017
    Work on New Zealand’s State Highway 3 will see upgrades to improve capacity and s well as safety. The country’s Ministry of Transport has unveiled a government plan to spend US$94.46 million (NZ$135 million) on the project. The upgrades for State Highway 3 form part of New Zealand’s Accelerated Regional Roading Programme. Meanwhile further planning work has been required to the Mount Messenger bypass before a preferred option for the project can be confirmed. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is curre
  • Controversial £2 billion Stonehenge bypass project halted
    July 30, 2024
    The UK's controversial £2 billion Stonehenge bypass project has been halted, prompting relief amongst environmentalists and historians who opposed the construction work.