A hearing to decide whether Wellington will get a controversial flyover is taking twice as long as expected and will now report back in August.
The board of inquiry had been scheduled to hear six weeks of submissions, but that has now been extended to 13.
An artist's impression of the proposed Basin Reserve flyover. Photo: NZTA
The proposed flyover, which is about 260 metres long, runs from Buckle Street to the Mount Victoria tunnel at an estimated cost of $90 million.
The board sought an extension saying the number of witnesses, the length of cross-examination and the number of submitters wishing to speak in person has lengthened the proceedings.
It has received 215 submissions and 138 briefs of evidence, with a hearing transcript that is already 2300 pages long.
Environment minister Amy Adams granted the board a three-month extension, saying it's necessary to provide a full and fair hearing.
The board will produce a draft report by mid-July and a final report by the end of August.
