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Construction update

15 July 2019

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Welcome to the July 2019 construction update

A mild start to winter has allowed work to progress well on the Southern Corridor Improvements (SCI) project. The project employs 150-200 construction workers at any one time and logs around 40,000 work hours per month.

Here is the latest on what’s been happening across the project over the last month and what’s coming up.

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The SCI project includes 9.5km of SH1 from Manukau to Papakura

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New bridge across the motorway at Pescara Point

Foundations are now being built for the landmark bridge that will cross the Southern Motorway, connecting Pescara Point (Hingaia) to Pahurehure Esplanade Reserve.

Earthworks have been finished on the western approach to the bridge in the Pescara Point Reserve. A loop ramp has been formed in the existing motorway bank that will link the bridge with the new shared use path being built alongside the motorway. The loop will provide a smooth path up onto the bridge and over the motorway.

Large concrete footings have been put in place for temporary support towers that will be used to help assemble the three spans of the bridge as they arrive on site. After construction the centre support will be removed and two permanent support columns will take the weight of the finished bridge.

On the eastern side of the motorway, walls have been installed to protect two large pylons that support the high voltage overhead power lines. The team has begun work on the eastern approach retaining walls, which will allow pedestrians access to the bridge from the Pahurehure esplanade reserve walkway and Rushgreen Avenue.

Work will continue on the eastern approach during July, in preparation for the bridge spans to start being installed in August.

The full bridge structure should become visible to motorists in September.

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Earthworks at the western bridge approach will link the shared use path to the new bridge.

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Steel columns that will support the finished bridge span across the motorway have already been delivered to the site.

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Median barriers update

Existing guardrail and concrete median barriers at the northern end of the project are being demolished and carted away for disposal.

A larger drainage line is being installed in the median at the same time, which will divert surface water away from the traffic lanes. The shoulder will later be reinstated to tie in to the existing motorway and prepare for the installation of new split-level concrete median barriers.

Work will continue throughout July/August and is expected to be finished in September, depending on weather conditions.

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Demolition of old median barriers is continuing in the northern and central parts of the project.

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Great South Road improvements progressing

Work is continuing on Great South Road to improve traffic flows around and through the Takanini Interchange. The road is being widened and median traffic islands are being reshaped to accommodate motorway access. Room is also being made for the creation of new shared use paths through the interchange.

In June, earthworks began in the eastbound lanes between Spartan Road and the Stevensons concrete yard to prepare for the widening. New services such as stormwater drains and power ducting have been installed. In July, rock and asphalt layers will be laid in this section and widening earthworks will continue from Spartan Road to the southbound off-ramp.

Work has now begun on the southbound off-ramp and on-ramp areas around the Great South Road intersection. The northbound off-ramp intersection with Great South Road has been excavated in preparation for resurfacing, and a concrete median barrier is being built to separate off and on-ramp traffic.

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A row of non-native trees along Great South Road is being removed

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Pest trees removed for road widening and new shared use path

While the SCI project has a focus on planting a wide variety of native species, some work requires the removal of existing vegetation to make way for project works and for new landscaping designs.

Expert arborists have been consulted and council consent granted for the removal of a row of mixed non-native trees, some of which are pest species, along Great South Road near the Takanini Interchange.  

The trees, which have attracted many complaints over the years due to dropped fronds and leaf litter, will be cleared by a specialist contractor during July.

Because the work requires cranes, chainsaws and large trucks, part of Great South Road needs to be closed, which can only occur at night. 

The removal of the trees will make room for widening of the motorway southbound on-ramp approach road and building the new shared use path. Construction will begin in August and replacement planting will be carried out later in the year.

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Girls from Manurewa and Pukekohe High Schools took part in a Hi Vis industry career day

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Local schools team up for “Girls with Hi Vis”

Students from Manurewa and Pukekohe High Schools visited the SCI project in June to learn more about careers for women in the infrastructure (hi-vis) industry.  They met with a number of accomplished women working on the project and went out on site to see demonstrations of paving works carried out by an all-female crew from Higgins.

The action-packed day was part of a nationwide programme run by NZ’s Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation Connexis. It was aimed at raising awareness and increasing the number of women working in infrastructure.

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Mana Whenua monitor progress

During June, Mana Whenua were welcomed on site at Pahurehure Esplanade Reserve to attend a safety meeting, meet the work crews and check out the southern part of the project. They were particularly interested in progress underway on the new bridge that will span the motorway beside Pahurehure Inlet.

Mana Whenua provide invaluable advice and kaitiakitanga for the project.

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What’s Coming Up in July/August

Northern end

  • Continuing work in the central median, laying pavement
  • Installing drainage

Central area works

  • Work on bridge decks in the central median
  • Constructing median barriers
  • Installing motorway lighting in the central median
  • Completing noise walls
  • Completing top panels in the retaining wall north of Walter Strevens Drive

Great South Road (GSR)

  • Completing earthworks on GSR eastbound lanes from Spartan Road to the southbound off-ramp
  • Continuing work of pavement layers at the northbound off-ramp intersection with GSR
  • Intersection works –earthworks to southbound on-ramp in preparation for pavements
  • Removing pest and non-native trees along Great South Road

Southern end

  • Bulk excavation works at the eastern approach to the bridge at Pescara Point
  • Paving of southbound motorway lanes across Pahurehure Inlet bridge
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For further information

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If you have any comments, suggestions or feedback, please contact us via email at southerncorridor@nzta.govt.nz.

We hope you have enjoyed this construction update and we look forward to letting you know more about the construction works for the project.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact our team on free phone 0508 NZTA SCI (0508 6982 724) or at southerncorridor@nzta.govt.nz. And feel free to visit us at the Project Office located at 8-12 Great South Road, Takanini (behind the Gull petrol station).

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