CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Read our construction update to see what has been achieved and what is coming up on the Karangahape Road Enhancements project. 

Liverpool Street to Queen Street

Upcoming works - what to expect: 

• The relocation of the traffic light control box is scheduled to be completed by 24 August which will complete works in this area 

Queen Street to Pitt Street

Upcoming works - what to expect: 

• Hydro excavation of light pole foundations
• Remove the existing footpath pavers at the mid block pedestrian crossing.  Please note that pedestrian access will be maintained but will be changed to accommodate the works in this area.  There will be sounds mats erected around these works but will be taken down as soon as demolition works are complete - which should take approximately 3 days
• Continue with demolition along the carriageway and footpath edge
• Commence potholing to identify existing underground services
• Continue with drainage upgrade in the carriageway
• Continue installation of utility services

Queen Street "Karangahape Road discovery"

While demolition works near the Queen Street took place, we uncovered parts of the old tram tracks that used to operate in Karangahape Road and throughout the city.  Plan.Heritage - John Brown who are the consultants for this project have provided the following fun facts about the project:

"Earthworks along the northern kerb line of Karangahape road near the junction with Queen Street revealed an unusual concrete base with inset cast-iron sections and bolts indicating the location of utilities or plant, extending about 1.6m towards the centre line of the road. Possibly this was associated with operation of the tram line along Karangahape Road. Features include heavy wrought iron bolts towards the kerb edge, with indentations to locate machinery or conduit footings. Towards a centre line a cast iron inspection grate or oil well included a small rubber hose and brass latch hook, designed to hold an inspection cover or machine footing in place. The rubber hose might indicate a former hydraulic system."

"Photo by John Brown" : Heritage item uncovered during excavations 

"The tram along Karangahape road was electrified in 1902 (see image). Trams ran along this route until 1959, when the rails were ripped up again. The image taken in 1959 is from approximately the same location as the find, and you can see the ASB Bank in the background at the corner with Queen Street."

"Photo supplied by John Brown - historical photos are from Auckland Libraries Heritage Images Online - Sir George Grey Special Collections":  The tram along Karangahape road was electrified in 1902

"Photo supplied by John Brown - historical photos are from Auckland Libraries Heritage Images Online - Sir George Grey Special Collections":  Rails were removed in 1959 - approximately same location as this discovery

"An overlay with the 1908 City map of Auckland has a blue arrow where the feature was revealed, and it is leading to the tram stop shown in this location (red lines on the plan were added around 1919 when the city map was updated)"

"Photo supplied by John Brown - Auckland Council Archives":  1908 City map overlay of Queen Street corner

"The structure therefore looks like it might be related to the operation of the tram stop, which used to have electrified poles and signals attached"

Upper Queen Street to Mercury Lane

Upcoming works - what to expect:

• Line markings for soft opening to be finalised tonight - weather permitting 
• We understand that there is great anticipation for the re-planting of the Nikau palms at the mid block pedestrian crossing - Planning is under way to have these returned and this is expected to be complete by the end of August

Mercury Lane to West Terrace

Upcoming works - what to expect:

• Commence East Street speed table construction
• Commence drainage at the Mercury Lane corner 
• Continue construction of the rain garden and tree pit near West Terrace - Pedestrian management around this area will be moved as we will no longer be able to utilise the area in West Terrace for our construction vehicles now that the speed table has been built.  In order for us to open up the road for vehicle access we will move construction vehicles towards Day Street to accommodate this.  This will bring about the pedestrian management change, please be aware and follow the temporary traffic management signs
• Finalise construction of the West Terrace raised speed table - this includes tying in the bridge to the speed table.  Once this is complete, we will be able to open West Terrace to traffic

West Terrace temporary road closure for speed table construction:

Work to construct the speed table across West Terrace is under action.  Due to the narrow nature of West Terrace a temporary road closure is being maintained.

There is no vehicle access to West Terrace via Karangahape Road currently.  Vehicle access is planned to be available on Monday 17 August 2020.

Vehicle access is being provided for residents only via Galatos Street.

Howe Street to Overbridge

Upcoming works - what to expect: 

• Finalise footpath concrete pour on the eastern side of Howe Street, near Thirsty Dog
• Continue preparation of the planter for low level planting 

Overbridge

Upcoming works - what to expect: 

• Finalise line markings at newly opened bus shelters

Photo:  New bus shelters on the southern side opened on Friday

CYCLEWAY - SOFT OPENING:

During the works, sections of the newly constructed cycleway have remained closed for safety reasons as they did not link up along the street. However, as works are progressing, we can facilitate a soft opening of the cycleway now instead of opening it fully at the end of the project.  In conjunction with AT and Bike Auckland we have and will continue to open sections of the cycleway - there will be temporary signage and road markings to help guide cyclists on along the cycleway.  Please follow these signs and dismount when required

While this "soft opening" will allow cyclists to utilise sections of the cycleway that do not have active construction in them, it is important to note that construction work will take place later at some of these ‘open’ cycleway sections to finalise construction.     

In these instances, we will have the relevant traffic management in place to indicate these work locations, but we will endeavour to maintain cycleway access.

Temporary road markings are completed on the eve of the opening.

The following are planned sections to be opened - dates will be confirmed in the upcoming newsletters:

• Overbridge South Side: TBC
• Symonds Street to Queen Street:  TBC 
• Symonds Street to Upper Queen Street: Line markings to be finalised - weather permitting tonight
• Upper Queen Street to Mercury Lane (Dismount before Mercury Lane): Line markings to be finalised - weather permitting tonight
• Ponsonby Road to Hereford Street:  Complete
• Hereford Street to Howe Street (Dismount before Howe Street): Complete
• Overbridge North Side: Complete

Photo: Cycleway signage

STAGING & LOADING ZONES 

Parking and Loading zones: 

Below is a map of the Karangahape Road precinct showing the construction stages, temporary bus stop relocations and loading zones.

Auckland Transport’s parking enforcement is working to ensure parking is being correctly used throughout the Karangahape Road precinct.  If you have a request for parking enforcement, please call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.

Loading zone map below 

If you have any construction queries during the project, we encourage you to contact us on 
0800 KRD JFC (0800 573 532) or karangahaperoad@jfcltd.co.nz

If you know of anyone who would like to receive these updates, feel free to forward this email to them and get them to subscribe via the link below. Or email us at karangahaperoad@jfcltd.co.nz