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

  • VIDEO: Virginia approves Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion
    December 12, 2016
    The US state of Virginia has approved a US$4 billion project to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel close to the city of Norfolk.

    The state has been looking at designs for the past 20 years to improve traffic flow in the area, according to a report in the Virginian-Pilot newspaper. Hampton Roads is a body of water making up one of the world's largest natural harbours. The existing structure is close to the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet home base at Norfolk.
  • Auckland’s future strategic transport requirements
    July 5, 2012
    The Auckland Harbour Bridge is at the stage that it cannot cope with much more traffic, yet the population of the Auckland region continues to grow at a steady rate. Coupled with that, the bridge is a key link in the most important transport corridor in the country, State Highway One. Without it, the country would struggle to function. Not only home to New Zealand's largest city and one third of its population, Auckland's port is one of the country's largest. Some 140m north of the city is Marsden Point, th
  • New bypass tunnel in Germany
    September 18, 2020
    A new bypass tunnel project is underway in Germany.
  • Nairobi road to nowhere?
    January 3, 2013
    International environmental pressure groups claim a vital road in Kenya goes through parkland as Shem Oirere reports. Kenya’s Nairobi Southern Bypass, a 28.6km stretch has become the second road project in East Africa to run into problems. Designed to the Class A International Trunk Road Standard, the route has been targeted by international environmental pressure groups following Tanzania’s Serengeti Highway, which was derailed last year. The US$208 million bypass will link Mombasa Road, near Ole Sereni Ho