This aerial image shows activity at the project's 300-metre Parahaki Bridge over the Manawatū River.

Project on track as winter arrives

Now in its sixth month of construction, the project continues to make good progress with more than 330,000 cubic metres of earth moved to date.

And with our winter works consent application approved, we can now continue earthworks through the colder months as weather and ground conditions permit.

On the western edge of the new highway route, foundations are underway for the Nutcracker Farm residential underpass, while a concrete base slab has also been poured for the purpose-built laboratory nearby. The lab will be used to test earthworks and paving materials for the duration of the project.

Moving along the route from west to east, preparations continue to build the 300m Parahaki Bridge over the Manawatū River.

At the first of the bridge’s three piers, which will support the unique balanced cantilever structure from just below the old gorge carpark, stabilisation of the riverbank has recently been completed.

Construction of a cofferdam – preventing water from entering the second pier construction area while excavation is being carried out below the waterline – is almost complete. At the site of the bridge's third pier on the other side of the river, we are working through final designs for a retaining wall to support KiwiRail land during the pier’s construction.

A temporary bridge that will be used as a platform to enable construction of the final bridge is also well advanced, recently reaching the edge of the main water channel.

Further along at the site of the project’s 300m Eco Bridge, specialised geotech drilling is underway, and we are building an access track that will be used throughout construction and then re-purposed as a public pathway.

In the middle section of the new route, an access road has been cut and stabilised for the project’s Te Āpiti Wind Farm Underpass, while at our Morgan Road Underpass site we have been installing ducting for the future diversion of wind turbine cabling.

At the eastern end of the route, planning is well underway at the site of the project's Mangamanaia Stream Bridge.

The plants were carefully packed into 600kg bags and individually ferried by helicopter to the planting site.

Planting programme off to a flying start

The project's planting programme has officially begun with 20,000 plants delivered by helicopter in early June to a privately owned farm near Woodville.

“This planting is the first of almost two million native shrubs and trees that will be planted as part of the project’s commitment to leaving the environment in a better condition than we found it,” says Lonnie Dalzell, Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Central North Island.

A mix of riparian and wetland natives, the plants have been growing since last year at Kauri Park Nursery in Ashhurst, using seed sourced and grown early in the project. Twelve thousand seedlings were raised at Manawatū Prison through a partnership with Rangitāne o Manawatū.

The plants were carefully packed into 600kg bags and individually ferried by helicopter to the planting site, to be planted over several days.

The project's landscaping team has been preparing planting sites at the privately owned farm and the Massey Tuapaka Farm, ready to receive around 255,000 native plants this year. Planting at these sites is expected to run through to October 2021 and planning is underway for planting on other farms next year.

Site preparations included animal and plant pest control, installing water reticulation and building fences to keep the working farms separate from stream and wetland planting sites.

The rehabilitation of 38km of stream through riparian planting is part of the project’s ecological commitment.

Mr Dalzell adds: “The planting that has begun at the private farm near Woodville is part of this work, which will create significant ecological benefits by improving stream habitat and water quality.

“Right now, the focus is on getting the plants off to a great start and we have been very lucky with the weather.

"Over the long term, we are committed to ensuring that all planted areas will be managed until they are fully established and will be protected for many years to come.

"Starting planting now, away from the construction works, means these areas will have almost four years of growth before the road is opened.”

Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis tried her hand at the 'Drive the Highway' simulator during the opening of the project's visitor centre last month.

Visitor centre opens and mobile offering coming soon

Our community engagement activities marked a key milestone in May with the opening of our visitor centre at the project office near Ashhurst.

Drop in between 10am and 4pm on weekdays to check out a wide range of project information, including our ‘Drive the Highway’ simulator.

In the coming months we'll be on the road with a mobile version of the visitor centre, enabling us to take information about the project (including the simulator) to locations across the region.

A big thanks to everyone who turned out to our recent programme of public information sessions, held during May in Dannevirke, Pahīatua, Woodville and at the project office near Ashhurst.

Visit our website and social media pages to see the latest aerial videos showing construction progress along the highway's 11.5km route.

Bird's eye view

Drone footage of the highway route is taken regularly to give a bird's eye view of progress, both for the project and the wider community.

Keep an eye on our social media pages and website to see all the latest aerial videos.

Please take part in our short engagement survey

We'd be really grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes (maximum!) to complete this short survey on our communications and public engagement activities.

Thanks,

Nick Maybury
Communications and Engagement Manager
Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance

More information

For more information, please use one of more of the following methods:

nzta.govt.nz/teahuaturanga

facebook.com/nztacni

twitter.com/wakakotahicni

0800 740 560

teahuaturanga@nzta.govt.nz