# Prime Minister Challenges NZTA on Road Project Timeline

> Prime Minister demands NZTA complete $1.8bn road project in 18 months.
- Title: Prime Minister Challenges NZTA on Road Project Timeline · RNZ
- Summary: Prime Minister demands NZTA complete $1.8bn road project in 18 months. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pushes Transport Agency to finish a $1.8 billion road…
- Keywords: christopher luxon, nzta, cambridge to piarere expressway, road project, infrastructure, waikato, politics, news, Prime, Minister, Challenges, Road
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/political/2030661/prime-minister-s-coaching-conversation-with-nzta-boss-over-road-project-delivery
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-19T16:24:43+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: christopher luxon, nzta, cambridge to piarere expressway, road project, infrastructure, waikato, politics, news
## Prime Minister's Coaching Conversation
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the Cambridge to Piarere Expressway site on Monday.
## Road Project Cost and Timeline
The 16km four-lane Cambridge to Piarere Expressway costs $1.8 billion and takes five years to build.
## Luxon Questions Project Duration
Luxon questioned why the project would take five years instead of 18 months for a 'bog standard' road.
## NZTA's Response to Pressure
Transport Agency chief executive Brett Gliddon said contractors face pressure to reduce timeline from five years to under 18 months.
## Luxon's Demand for Faster Delivery
Luxon challenged NZTA to complete the project in 18 months, saying it's a 'straight up project' that can be done 24/7.
## Key takeaway

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pushes Transport Agency to finish a $1.8 billion road project in 18 months instead of five years.