This month at Te Ara Tupua

Spring has sprung with some wild weather over the last month, but we are still making good progress on site.

Honiana Te Puni Reserve landscaping in progress around the Tawherau pods

Progress Update

Over the Labour Weekend, the overhead powerlines were lowered at the southern end of the project to allow for the final bridge piers to be installed and for the bridge span to be installed in December. 

The team is working on laying the bridge on both the seaward and roadside approaches before  pouring concrete in December and January.

All the seawalls are complete, and we are on the home straight placing the final rock on the revetments. We continue to be vigilant during the  penguin nesting season, with  penguin dog sweeps and other protective measures in place. 

Ducting for utilities is approximately 60% complete across the main alignment and the team working on this are powering through it. 

The ūranga(landing place) are taking shape with planting and landscaping. 

In Honiana Te Puni Reserve, we are working on the kerbing around the boat ramp, and layering for the Gobi blocks (a type of paving that creates a grid for topsoil and plants). We are also working on the slabs and kerbing around the Tawharau pods and the foundations for the sculpture that will be installed.

Over towards the Waimarino Rowing and Water Ski Club building, we are laying the base course (the foundation layer below asphalt) for the pathways and hyrdoseeding the grassed areas.

Fencing

We’ve had a few questions about fencing and safety around the rail when it is finished. Currently we have the Vortok fence in place (the low blue tubing type fence), and you might be forgiven for wondering if that is enough long term, but this fencing is only temporary. It is part of the Digital Shield technology we are using on this project in collaboration with KiwiRail. The shield works like an invisible fence between the trains, the tracks, and our machinery and prevents the excavator arm from touching the overhead powerlines. This technology has been key to enabling our team to use the essential long reach excavators so close to the operating rail lines.  The blue fencing marks the line of the digital shield and will be taken out as we get closer to completion.

We’re in the process of installing the permanent fence, which is a 1.8m high chain-link fence. You may see some of the new fencing already in place along Hutt Road and close to Korokoro Stream and notice the narrow gaps in the panels. These are deliberate. If there is ever an incident with the overhead power lines and the fencing becomes electrified, these gaps will break the circuit. They will be filled with wooden posts that are non-conductive and prevent any access.

Events

Catch us at the Eastbourne Market on Sunday 30 November with our friends Free-Ride. Free-Ride will be offering free bike fix ups so if you have a bike in need of a bit of TLC, bring it along and get it ready for the summer.

https://eastbourne.nz/event/christmas-market/

People of the Project

Good projects are built on good people – and Russell is a great example of this. 

His strong work ethic and wealth of knowledge are key contributors to the success of Te Ara Tupua. From proactively planning with our construction team to ensure a community-centred approach, to maintaining high-quality monitoring processes, Russell oversees many operations behind the scenes to keep the project running smoothly.

Woven into his work, he also creates opportunities for the community to further connect and stay involved during the project’s construction.

One of the highlights of his role has been managing site visits for both Te Ara Tupua and Tupua Horo Nuku. His recent engagement series with PrideLands, a social development childcare service, was a hit with the rangatahi (see above).

Russell’s compassionate, community-focused approach is a highly valued asset to the Alliance. We’re grateful for all that he does to strengthen the connection between our project and the people it serves.

About us

The Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua is a project to provide better resilience to transport links between Wellington and Lower Hutt, with new walking and cycling choices.

It has been developed in partnership between NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, alongside local councils.

It is being delivered by Te Ara Tupua Alliance, made up of NZTA, Tonkin + Taylor, Downer NZ, and HEB Construction. 

More information

For more information on the Te Ara Tupua project, contact us at TeAraTupua@nzta.govt.nz

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