Transport and Infrastructure minister Chris Bishop said there was "very strong" interest in the project. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel
Three bidders have been confirmed for the next section of the Northern Expressway from Warkworth to Te Hana.
The government has revealed the shortlist for the public private partnership, with the bids made up of three consortia.
The groups are bidding to build a 26km, four-lane expressway connecting to the existing Pūhoi to Warkworth stretch.
The indicative design includes a 850m long twin-bore tunnel in the Dome Valley, and three interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana.
The government opened up expressions of interest as part of its Investment Summit in Auckland in March.
The summit invited representatives from more than 100 companies from 15 countries, who controlled $6 trillion in assets and funds between them.
Some businesses indicated they were keen on the project before the summit had even wrapped up, two of which were included in the shortlist.
The shortlist consortia are:
- Northway made up of Acciona Concesiones SL, abrdn Global Sustainable Infrastructure GP IV Ltd and Acciona Construction New Zealand Ltd
- Go>North made up of VINCI Highways SAS, John Laing Limited, VINCI Construction Grands Projets SAS, VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure SAS. and HEB Construction Limited
- Together North made up of Plenary Origination Pty Ltd, Webuild SpA, WBCA Pty Ltd, Gamuda Engineering Pty Limited and Service Stream Holdings Pty Limited
The groups must now submit a Request for Proposals, setting out how they intend to finance, design, construct, manage and maintain the section of the expressway.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the government received "very strong" interest in the project.
"The shortlisted consortia are all well positioned to deliver a high-quality motorway that will boost regional resilience, enhance road safety and travel reliability, and strengthen vital connections for freight, tourism and everyday drivers," he said.
The preferred bidder will be chosen in early 2026, with the contract finalised by the middle of the year and construction to begin later in the year.
In March, Guido Cacciaguerra from Italian firm Webuild confirmed he would bid.
"If the government gets this right, it's the most powerful marketing tool to attract more investors in the future," he said.
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