Opus in winning consortium for major expressway project

Opus International Consultants (Opus) has been confirmed by the NZ Transport Agency as part of the consortium to design and build the Huntly section of the Waikato Expressway.

The contract was awarded by the NZ Transport Agency to a joint venture between Fulton Hogan and HEB Construction, with Opus and Jacobs Design providing design and construction services.

"This contract win recognises the expertise that we bring to road design and construction in New Zealand. We have a long history of providing innovative, affordable and sustainable solutions," says Opus Chief Executive, Dr David Prentice.

The Huntly project consists of 15.2km of dual carriageway and will connect the Ohinewai section of the Expressway, in the north, to the Ngaruawahia section at Taupiri.

When finished this section of the expressway will play a key part in the overall goals of increasing journey reliability, providing a safer travel routes and reducing travel time in and out of the Waikato.

"Opus is proud to be working alongside other industry leaders to create world-class infrastructure that will have a positive impact on the community and inter-regional and national economic growth and productivity," says Dr Prentice.

A total of nine bridges and two half-diamond interchanges will be constructed as part of the project. Construction of the section will start in late 2015, allowing the Transport Agency to remain on track to complete the full length of the Waikato expressway by late 2019.