A major motorway upgrade in Auckland has been given the go-ahead but it will cost $50 million more than expected.
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced funding for the $195 million redevelopment of the Newmarket Viaduct on Friday.
The current six-lane viaduct will be widened to seven lanes, four of which will be for south-bound traffic.
This will eventually help ease a bottleneck in the region's congested State Highway 1 network.
Work on the project will start in November, more than a year ahead of schedule, due to a swift resource consent process.
The New Zealand Transport Agency says the $50 million increase is due to rising fuel prices, building materials and labour costs.
However, the project will only be partially completed before the 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament begins.
