Neil Holdom: New Plymouth mayor displeased that the Mt Messenger bypass project faces budget blowout - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Big spends on the Mt Messenger bypass roading project, despite no road actually being built.

The Transport Agency has already spent 60 percent of the $280 million dollar budget of the Taranaki project.

New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom says there's no way the project will get done within the projected budget.

He blames frivolous court cases for the hold up, and says it is time to get on with the job.

"Yep, it's going to be expensive, but I can assure you that if we didn't build it and the mountain slipped down, it would be a hell of a lot more expensive for NZ inc."

NZTA have confirmed they will be conducting a cost review, which is set to be completed in the first half of 2024.

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