Project update July 2018

It's been a busy few months on the Bay Link project. Read on for a summary of what's been happening. Or you can go to our website to view the full Project update.

Stormwater drainage installation and utility service relocation on Matapihi Road

Constructing new city-bound on and off ramps

It’s been a busy few months on the Bay Link project with the major focus being on service relocation and constructing the on and off ramps for city-bound traffic on the Bayfair flyover.

Carrying out seamless service relocation and installation has been a critical project milestone. Gas, water, telecommunications, power, sewer and stormwater services are all below ground, so this work has to be completed before any of the above ground work can begin. It’s vital that services are maintained to the nearby businesses and communities with little disruption. The team have used various techniques to do this, including drilling tunnels underground to pull cables through, and digging trenches or excavating areas to move services across, and with it all happening below ground it’s somewhat difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see the progress that has been made.

The other major focus is on preparing the ground for the city-bound on and off ramps for the Bayfair flyover, and the new local road city-bound lanes. The site has been a hive of activity with six diggers, three rollers, two water carts, one dump truck and a grader working on the site. These new lanes are being prepared for the traffic switch later this year, where the city-bound traffic will be moved across so work can begin in the existing lanes.

A lot of the work has also been affecting the local roads, particularly Matapihi Road. This has been a tricky site as access to Owens Place, local businesses and Home Zone needs to be retained, as well as access for pedestrians and cyclists across SH2. The project team has been working with Tauranga City Council on ways to improve flow through the area. The upcoming work will be to widen the road, and install new kerbing and a footpath. Thank you for your patience while we carry out the work through here.

An example from our upcoming advertising campaign

Get me home safe. Slow down.

A 50km/h temporary speed restriction is in place for the duration of the project for the safety of drivers and their passengers, and also for the safety of people working on the project.

Please slow down, stay focused and drive to the conditions.

Vehicle activated speed signs will be installed to monitor motorists’ speed through the construction site. From 16 July, these screens will be activated to flash the speed an approaching vehicle’s travelling at.

We will be running a local advertising campaign, using CPB Contractors’ project team members, to reinforce this message.

Stone column ground improvement

Ground improvement works for the new flyovers will begin this month in the form of stone columns.

Installing stone columns involves putting vertical columns of stone (gravel) into the ground. This is done using a crane with specialist vibrating equipment attached to create vertical columns in the ground, moving the sand to
make way for the stone.

Each hole is relatively small and quick to complete. More than 3,500 columns will be constructed throughout the site to take the weight of the flyovers. The stone columns push against the surrounding ground, making it
more dense and enabling the ground to support the weight of the on and off ramps that will be built on top.

Stone columns are well suited for sandy soils and help limit the consequences of future liquefaction during an earthquake. They are typically quick to construct and do not require dewatering or excavation. As a result it’s
quite a ‘clean’ process, with little waste.

Facts on the stone column work for this project:

• If you put all the stone columns end to end from the project site they would reach Waihi Beach (approximately 63km).

• The stone columns will cover more than one and a half rugby fields and use enough gravel to fill eight Olympic-size swimming pools

• The stone column method, which uses gravity and vibration, was invented in Germany in 1958.

Nearby residents can expect some vibration during the pavement and stone column works. We will make every effort to minimise the impact of noise and vibration during the project. Regular vibration monitoring ensures works are carried out within Tauranga City Council’s consent conditions. If you have any concerns, please contact us.

Ghost marking trial success

CPB Contractors have found a solution to remove old line markings through the project area and eliminate ‘ghost marking’.

When traffic is moved temporarily and new line markings are installed, the existing line markings are removed or blanked out. However, when the road is wet or the sun is at certain
angles the old line markings can sometimes still be visible - often referred to as ‘ghost marking’. This can be confusing to road users.

CPB trialled various methods, including black paint, clay, sand and water mix, and hydro blasting, to completely remove the lines. Their most effective option was a combination of line
grinding and hydro blasting at a lower pressure, which will be used as and when needed throughout the project site.

Contact us

For more information on the Baypark to Bayfair Link upgrade project, contact us baylink@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/baylink