State Highway 20B Early Improvements Update

5 March 2021

Kia ora koutou,

State Highway 20B Project Updates keep you up-to-date with project progress and upcoming physical works on State Highway 20B (SH20B).

(Photo:Dushyant Mediratta) Last weekend's road closure works kicked off with the existing road surface being removed at Waokauri Bridge. The milling machine (above) removes the old surface and is lit up by red lights - a safety innovation which creates a mobile `Keep Clear' zone to protect workers.

Weekend closure for SH20B a success!

Last weekend Waka Kotahi closed SH20B to through-traffic between the Tom Pearce/SH20B roundabout and the SH20 Interchange to allow essential works to be carried out safely.

A great effort was put in by everyone involved throughout the weekend closure. Extensive planning and timley execution contributed to the weekend running like clockwork, with good weather welcomed by all.

It was great to see the team's effective response to the government's announcement of COVID alert level changes. The crews quickly implemented necessary hygiene and work crew bubble controls within hours of the announcement.

A few items achieved over the weekend were:

• 1830m2 of existing pavement (road) was removed
• Two speed tables (see below) were boxed, poured and cured at the Prices Road intersection and the SH20 Interchange. Speed tables need 40 hours to cure to reach full strength so this work could not have been done in a single shift
• 240m of kerb and channel was poured to create median islands along the route
• 1531 tonnes of asphalt was laid to create the new road surface
• Fresh line marking replaced cones in some areas.

Eddie Hayman - Zone Manager on SH20B

Introducing.... Eddie Hayman. Zone 1 Manager for SH20B

Eddie has been with Fulton Hogan for eight years, five of those working with Waka Kotahi at the Auckland System Management Alliance as the Pavements and Surfacing department manager.

Eddie has been the SH20B Project Manager for Zone 1 since the beginning of the project in February 2020. This zone covers the area from Pukaki Creek Bridge to just East of the Campana Road Intersection.

“Our team members include a project engineer, supervisor, two site engineers together with 20 – 30 crew. In addition, we have internal and external subcontractors of between 10 - 20 individuals. Working with these peoiple in a productive and timely manner is key to meeting our project end date – and that’s my job.” says Eddie.

“This is a fast-paced project with a lot of moving parts that take constant planning to ensure seamless delivery to meet a tight deadline for each task. The weekend road closure was key to delivering the large and challenging sections of work. Managing this intense workload over a short period allowed a leap frog effect in the project programme.“ he says.

“We are currently placing traffic islands at the Campana Road Intersection and between the airport viewing platforms. Being part of the team to complete the road layout is exciting, yet comes with its own challenges of managing our available workforce. Critical thinking around these tasks is key.”

Project progress

Activities next week (7 - 14 March)

Please note that some works are weather dependent and may be delayed.

During the day (from 7am to 7pm)

Zone 1 (from Pukaki Creek Bridge to East of Campana Road)

• Installation of the fence posts and panels at the southern viewing platform and Orrs Road
• Chip seal verges at Pukaki Creek Bridge and beneath the wire rope safety barriers
• Installation of the wire safety rope barrier in sections along SH20B
• Installation of the end terminals off concrete barriers at Campana Road
• Preparation works for chip seal at the north of Campana Road
• Back filling central road islands and preparation works for the wire rope safety barrier anchor blocks
• Installation of the hand rails for the shared use path
• Raising a manhole lid on the shared use path

Waokauri Creek Bridge

• Anti-climb brackets to be installed
   

Zone 2 (from East of Campana Road to the SH20 Interchange)

• Prepare and pour driveways
• Complete cable hauling for streetlight poles between Prices Road and the SH20 Interchange
• Prepare and pour the concrete subbase between Prices Road and Black Bridge Nursery
• Prepare and pour sloped channels from Waokauri Bridge to Prices Road
• Install the Montrose box at Prices road
• Install rails at Waokauri Bridge
• Pour concrete for the kerbs between Prices Road and Black Bridge Nursery
• Prepare and pour kerbs on a small section west of Prices Road
• Install traffic signal poles at Manukau Memorial Gardens
• Continue stormwater work near the SH20 Interchange
• Continue shared use path works through to the SH20 Interchange

Utilities (throughout the site)

• Common service trench installation from the Black Bridge Nursery up to the SH20 Interchange

At night (all zones from 9pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday)

The road will be OPEN to through traffic, but STOP/GO traffic controls and traffic lights will operate.

Please drive safely and allow extra time for your journey

• Asphalt pavement replacement continues along the existing carriageway between Pukaki Creek Bridge and the SH20 Interchange
• Drainage and shared use path works throughout the site
• Installation of Waokauri Bridge barriers, parapets and anti-grafitti paint
• Temporary line marking at Manukau Memorial Gardens
• Off ramp traffic island replacement near the SH20 Interchange

Safety

SH20B has introduced the following safety measures to protect all road and shared path users including two temporary signalised road crossings for people on foot and on bikes:

• All traffic must turn left both into and out of properties and side roads. Manukau Memorial Gardens is exempt from left-turn movements
• Vehicles turning into driveways and side roads on the southern side must watch for bikes and foot traffic on the temporary shared cycle and walking path
• The speed limit for SH20B is 50kph from Manukau Memorial Gardens to Tom Pearce Drive, except at crossing points and coned paving areas where the speed will briefly drop to 30kph 

Contact us

Please call us at 0800 796 796 or email sh20B@nzta.govt.nz if you have any questions about the SH20B Early Improvements project.

Project overview

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Auckland International Airport Limited are upgrading State Highway 20B for better and more reliable travel options with a new shared path and additional priority lanes between Pukaki Creek Bridge and State Highway 20.

This project will integrate with improved transport facilities within the airport precinct along SH20B and at the upgraded Puhinui Station Interchange.

The project is the first step of the Southwest Gateway programme to provide better public transport, walking and cycling facilities with safer and more efficient freight movements to, from and around Southwest Auckland.

Fulton Hogan undertakes this work on behalf of Waka Kotahi.

Key early improvements on State Highway 20B to be delivered by 2021 include:

• A safe place for people to walk and ride bikes
• Safety improvements including central median barrier protection, improved lighting and a reduced speed
• Improved pavement, drainage and stormwater treatment
• Two improved intersections at Campana Road and Manukau Memorial Gardens.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.

For more information on the project, you can also visit our website at www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/southwest-gateway/20connect/