Letters to the editor: Are shovel-ready projects at risk? 1 May, 2021 02:00 AM 3 minutes to read A reader says the Northern Arterial could be one of the first casualties. Photo / File Bay of Plenty Times It seems highly likely, from recent announcements by the Labour Government, that a large number of the already announced shovel-ready infrastructure projects promised for funding will no longer proceed. You can almost guarantee that the Northern Arterial will be one of the first casualties as why would this Government want to support an area former transport minister and former National Party leader Simon Bridges represents? Should this be the case one of New Zealand's most dangerous stretches of road will continue to be the most dangerous and more loss of lives and injuries will be incurred which will just be an indictment of incompetence by this Government.