Earthworks on the Rangiriri section have been posing some challenges for the contractor on the project.

Although most of the 1 million cubic metres of earth to be moved is now complete the contractor is behind where they need to be for finishing the section by late 2016.

Highly variable, low strength soils with high water content in places have meant the contractor has had to do a lot of conditioning work using lime and cement. A lot of earth which was going to be used as fill on the project has had to be discarded and more suitable soil brought in.

This means the completion date of late 2016 is going to be a stretch.

Read the latest project update here including:

• Watch for traffic management changes at Rangiriri
• Cultural plans move ahead
• Landscaping and plans for planting
• Plenty of interest at open day