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The cost of Wellington’s $ 6.4 billion transportation program is projected to rise, while an independent chair will be appointed to help get the beleaguered project back on track.
Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) revealed the changes to its 20-year-old program on Wednesday, after a damning report was released last month, which found the program was at risk of failure to execute, lack of resources, and lack of leadership.
LET’S MOVE WELLINGTON
The cost of Wellington’s $ 6.4 billion transportation program will rise following a 20-year program update announced Wednesday. (File photo)
The upgrade program revealed “likely cost increases,” a new three-year program of short-term projects, and a “simplification of the program’s governance structure.”
“We recognize that there have been challenges with the program, and now we hope to use the lessons learned to improve focus and execution,” said a statement from the program’s association board.
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“Next steps include changes to the program’s governance and leadership structure, a new three-year program, and longer-term work to ensure the program is affordable and has the funding it needs in light of the resulting funding challenges. of Covid- 19. “
Rosa Woods / Stuff
The program director, Andrew Body, will be accompanied by a deputy director, with a new independent chairman to oversee the project. (File photo)
The independent chair would be part of a “streamlined” governance structure, which would also include a new deputy director with experience “helping teams work collaboratively in joint ventures.”
There was also a plan to fill vacancies and “update” the program schedule.
The changes were announced after a meeting between program representatives and Transportation Minister Michael Wood on Tuesday, following Wood’s request on February 12 for an urgent update on how the group planned to address the report’s findings.
The new three-year program emphasized projects that could be launched soon, in response to Wood’s request to accelerate projects in the first three years of the program.
Kevin Stent / Stuff
High-level options for major projects, such as an additional tunnel on Mount Victoria, will be posted for public comment later this year. (File photo)
Construction of the downtown walking improvements and a crosswalk across State Highway 1 at Cobham Drive would begin this year, while work on a Golden Mile renovation and improvements at Thorndon Quay and Hutt Rd they would start next year, the board said.
High-level options for a mass transit system, an additional tunnel on Mount Victoria, and a new road in the basin reserve would be developed later this month, with indicative business cases updated in July and options posted for public comment. at the end of this year.
The board commissioned outside consultants to conduct a review in September after concerns about delays and to make sure it was in the “best position” to execute the two-decade program.
The review found that the project was “at risk of failure to execute” and needed to be paused in order to address the most important issues.
The problems included a lack of resources, a shortage of staff, a lack of experience, and a lack of “strategic leadership.”
PINK WOODS / THINGS
NZTA officials revealed that they ignored official advice to prioritize an additional tunnel on Mount Victoria as part of the Let’s Get Wellington Moving program.
The review said its recommended pause would have implications for the “time frames, scope and cost” of transportation projects in Wellington.
“We consider this to be preferable to the risk of not achieving the desired results with the current approach.”
Wood sent his letter to the society’s board the same day the review was made public, following the “unacceptable” findings.
He requested a plan to address the issues within two weeks, including recommendations to improve the culture of the program; flatten its governance structure; hire more staff; and ensuring indicative business cases for a mass transit system, an additional tunnel on Mount Victoria, and a new highway in the Basin Reserve that met expectations.
The program is a joint venture between the Woka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Wellington City Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
