Construction update

Welcome to the June 2019 construction update

The SCI Project team has been working hard since our last update, with more than 1.5 million work hours completed so far.

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

Final 30-metre spans lifted into place to create the new Pahurehure Inlet Bridge

Pahurehure Inlet bridge spans now in place

The final 30-metre spans supporting the new bridge over Pahurehure Inlet were crane-lifted into place in May. The spans weighed between 60 and 110 tonnes, and the lift was carried out at night when the motorway was closed to traffic. The engineering feat was carried out seamlessly, thanks to thorough planning and a focus on safety.

The pre-cast, Super-T beams will form the new bridge deck for the final stage of the permanent bridge. Bridge deck construction and surfacing will continue through to August, after which solid concrete median barriers will be constructed in the central median. The completed bridge, which is expected to fully open by November 2019, will allow for three lanes of traffic and a 3-metre-wide shoulder in each direction.

Pahurehure Inlet Bridge under construction (new Southbound bridge)

Major median works

Work zones have been opened up in the centre of the Southern Motorway from Orams Road Bridge to Papakura, with traffic diverted to the outside in each direction.
The work zones allow activities to be carried out safely during the day without affecting or restricting the flow of traffic.

The old median barriers are being demolished and grassed median areas are being prepared for asphalting to sit alongside permanent new solid concrete barriers that are designed and constructed to the latest safety standards.

Area North – Orams to Hill Road median work zones

Community Information Evening 9 July

The next community information evening is on Tuesday 9 July at the Takanini project office, 8-12 Great South Road, Takanini.  There will be two identical sessions 6-7pm and 7-8pm to allow after-work commuters time to get home.   Latest work progress information, maps and photos will be available to view from 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come and talk to the engineers about the project and hear about work underway between now and project completion.

The shared user path (on right) will provide local access to coastal amenities

Shared User Path

An integral feature of the Southern Corridor Improvements Project is the construction of an off-road shared use path alongside the motorway improvements. Currently under construction, this will link the communities along and across the Southern Motorway, supported by connections back into local reserves and residential streets.

The path will also provide better access to the coastal edge of the Pahurehure Inlet. It is designed to support a range of recreation and transport users including walkers, runners, cyclists, skaters, and users of scooters, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

For further information

If you have any comments, suggestions or feedback, please contact us via email 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 698 2724) 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).