APRIL 2016

Pavement works – view towards Richardson Road

Pavement works on SH20 extensionWork has started on the pavement works to construct the extension of State Highway 20 in the southern works area of our project.After the removal of spoil building, segment yard and Alice TBM parts from the Southern Approach Trench sump, the Well-Connected Alliance have moved to establish the motorway from the tunnels to Richardson Road overbridge – a 1.5 km stretch. “We’ve made a fantastic start to road construction in the southern approach trench, with all of the southbound lanes already paved,” says Project Engineer Olly Burton.“We’re working on the northbound lanes at the moment, which will be ready for handover to our specialist roading team by the end of March 2016,” he says.After excavation our specialist team move in to construct the structural layers of the pavement before coming back later on to add open graded porous asphalt (OGPA) on top, a mandatory surfacing course for state highways in New Zealand, to complete the motorway pavement.“Sound coordination and communication with other teams has been key to ensuring that this work is completed without delay, as the motorway acts as a haul road for our southern works area,” says Olly.“Our team is doing very well to keep on programme and we’re confident that it will be ready for vehicles to drive on in early 2017.”

Remedial works on ramp fourOur ramp four remedial works is on track to finish by mid-to-late April.The specialist team have been working six days a week to remove the last of the sub-standard concrete that was supplied to our project last year.

Section Engineer James Chamberlain says that this delicate operation is moving ahead well.“We’re removing as much concrete as we can each day but we’re mindful of our neighbours that live and work close-by and will continue to investigate a range of options to reduce

this noise.”“Noise absorbent curtains have been installed on-site to reduce noise levels as we can securely fasten it on the ramp and is safe for traffic and people moving below,” he says.

Pavement works – view towards Southern Approach Trench

› Excavate earth to road level. › Stabilise the ground by mixing with lime

and cement. › Lay aggregate drainage layer.

› Add three layers of structural asphalt. › Lay OGPA on top to give the road a

smooth ride. › Road markings and signage added prior

to motorway opening.

BUILDING A VEHICLE-READY MOTORWAY

Construction continues on landmark featureOur team working on the Hendon Footbridge are making good progress on its construction with the bridge deck almost complete.The 300 metre long footbridge, which will span over State Highway 20, is a pedestrian link to reconnect the local communities of Owairaka and New Windsor, split by the new motorway that is part of the Waterview Connection.“We’re completing the final stage of the deck

construction which is the installation of the central section of the main span” says Site Engineer Tim Fowler.“This requires accurate positioning of the steelwork attached to the concrete deck. If it’s done correctly we can then safely install its supporting steel cables.”Our team has installed the northern and southern sections of the main deck after the

successful installation of the 110 tonnes arch in December last year.Work on installing the supporting steel cables, lighting and handrails on the bridge will occur over the next few months.The Hendon Footbridge will connect to the southern shared path and new sports fields at Valonia Street and Barrymore Road. It is due to open in early 2017.

New changing room on the block The soccer season kicks off this month and local players will soon have new changing room facilities on hand for trainings and games at Valonia Street.Site Engineer Mackenzie Boult says the visually appealing changing rooms are set to open by early May.“It will have three toilet rooms, two separate change rooms with showers and hand basins, plus an accessible toilet to accommodate for people with disabilities.” “Bench seats, made of wood and concrete, have been set in front of it to allow for players to put on their boots or for spectators to watch the field action,” she says.The lower carpark (upper carpark opened last year) is expected to be ready for people-use together with the Volleyball court by early winter.The changing rooms are part of the Valonia Street upgrade which includes a variety of new facilities and leisure spaces that have been planned for construction during the Waterview Connection project.

The installation of the central section of the main span is underway.

Changing rooms at Valonia Reserve.

› Two full size sports fields › An intermediate to advanced level skatepark

› Basketball court

› Carpark › Changing rooms › Volleyball court

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT VALONIA STREET?

Work starts on Waterview Shared PathWork has started on the 2.5km Waterview Shared Path which will improve connections for people travelling through the suburbs of Waterview and Mount Albert.Project Engineer Oscar Reindler says that the Well-Connected Alliance team have made a great start to their site preparation for the construction of Alford Street Bridge – creating access routes and installing security fencing, ramps and signage.“We’ve started work strongly which is great, given the detailed planning involved to build what will be one of Auckland’s biggest cycling and walking shared paths.”Alford Street Bridge construction will require first building a smaller temporary bridge to support the cranes and machinery that will then

build the much larger bridge over Te Auaunga (Oakley Creek). But before this work gets underway the Well-Connected Alliance team will carry out some vegetation clearance and construct a sewer diversion.“To complete this work safely and efficiently, we will need to intermittently close a section of Oakley Creek walkway for two months,” says Oscar.“This will mean that from Monday to Friday the walkway will be closed, but we’ll open it on the weekends for people to enjoy the full length of Oakley Creek walkway.Information signage about the closure has been installed on and around Oakley Creek walkway. The closure will be in place Monday to Friday from 29 March till 27 May 2016.

Heritage Bridge – Waterview’s pedestrian linkWaterview’s Heritage Bridge is looking great but there is still work to do before its open for people to use.Situated over Oakley Creek and in-between ramp four (tunnels to SH16 eastbound) and ramp two (tunnels to SH16 westbound), the bridge sits in the footprint of the earlier bridge that crossed the Oakley Creek as part of the Garrett Tannery that was established in the 19th century. “This bridge is a fantastic feature to add to the Waterview landscape,” says Site Engineer Ahmed Shah.“It will be a key pedestrian link for walkers and cyclists to access the upgraded Waterview Reserve or for local people to head to other communities as it connects to the northwestern cycleway.” Paying homage to the old bridge, the Well-Connected Alliance founded the new edition on top of the former’s basalt abutments which have stood the test of time on either side of Oakley Creek.“At present the bridge’s deck and handrails are in place but we have to complete some of the stonework for the steps and to cover the abutments,” says Ahmed.Access to the heritage bridge is likely to occur in early 2017.

Mari-golden on Sandringham RoadWell-Connected Alliance Northern Stakeholder Manager, Claire Donnelly hands over a box of marigolds to Helga Arlington from Auckland Council’s Albert-Eden Local Board. The flowers were provided by the Well-Connected Alliance to replace those that had to be removed along with other road furniture on Sandringham Road for the transportation of Alice TBM’s parts to the ports of Auckland. The marigolds, as well as other brightly coloured flora, have been planted in Sandringham Reserve.

The heritage bridge spans over Oakley Creek.

Our site compound at Oakley Esplanade on the eastern side of Great North Road.

Adding colour to Sandringham ReserveHelga Arlington (left) and Claire Donnelly (right)

freephone 0508 TUNNEL (88 66 35)project website www.nzta.govt.nz/waterviewconnection

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Contact us at info@wellconnected.co.nz if you would like to receive Project Updates by email

The first pair home – winner (right), runner up (left).Shooting hoops – a local policeman plays ball with some locals.

The Well-Connected Alliance supplied free hamburgers and hotdogs and refreshments.

In early April, the Well-Connected Alliance will begin to build the new Maioro Street interchange. As part of this construction, the road will be widened to allow for one designated lane entering the SH20 southbound motorway, plus a new kerb alignment for traffic turning into Maioro Street from Stoddard Road.To enable the widening works, the northern side footpath will be open while southern side footpath will be closed – from Countdown Mt Roskill to the SH20 southbound on-ramp.Our team will then build a new footpath and pave the new lane from Stoddard Road to the SH20 southbound on ramp. Once the widening works are completed we’ll complete constructing a traffic island at the top of the southbound onramp. Widening of the Maioro Street interchange is likely to be finished by mid-winter.

MAIORO STREET INTERCHANGE WORKS

Out in force to celebrate WaterviewThe local community were out in force to celebrate the end of summer at the Waterview Fun Run/Walk and Barbeque event.The event featured two community facilities completed by the Waterview Connection project last year – an obstacle race along the Howlett-Waterview Walkway and a BBQ at the Waterview playgroundOver 100 people turned up to enjoy the evening event which was well-supported by a number

of local businesses - Ambrose Flower Studio, Pita Pit (Pt Chevalier), Hammer Hardware (Point Chevalier), US Hair Studio, Chris Lucas of Anchor, Sore Buds Osteopath, as well as government organisation Child, Youth and Family (CYFS) – all provided freebies for those in attendance. Members of the Avondale Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) were on hand to marshal the fun run/walk and hang out with people for the duration of the event.Divesh Kumar, owner of the Waterview Laundromat/Dairy, donated many ice creams and bottles of water.

“It was a lovely event and the locals had a great time,” he said.Claire Donnelly, Well-Connected Alliance Stakeholder Liaison Manager – North, who co-organised the event alongside Rob Black of the Neighbourhood Safety Panel, was delighted by the community involvement to support this get-together.“It was extremely pleasing to see the enthusiasm of local people and businesses to support this event which celebrated this special community,” she says.More than $130 in donations were collected for the Cyclone Winston appeal in Fiji.

Road closures and Traffic changes• Early April, the project will undertake a

few night time closures on SH16 between St Lukes and Great North Road to establish a new construction layout in the median. This will also include switching Great North Road westbound off-ramp to a new alignment whereas the off-ramp exit is moved further east.

• There will be discrete night time closures on SH16 Westbound between Great North Road (GNR) off-ramp and Rosebank off-ramp with detour via GNR, Rosebank Road then back on at Patiki on-ramp westbound. This also includes the closure of GNR westbound on-ramp at the Great North Road Interchange.

• There will be night time closures on SH16 Eastbound between GNR on-ramp and Western Springs off-ramp. For more information visit www.nzta.govt.nz and search “Traffic Bulletins”.

LUDUS MAGNUS Thank you to Joe and his team at Ludus Magnus for supplying gear for the Waterview Fun Run/Walk and BBQ event.  The gear used in the fun run/walk – ropes, army net, tyres – are just some of the exercises that are part of everyday drills at Ludus Magnus – a unique training centre, based at 9 Karaka Street, Eden Terrace in Newton. Ludus is for people of all shapes and sizes to train in groups with a focus on strength and conditioning. Utilising bodyweight exercises and unconventional exercise equipment to provide fun, dynamic, and challenging sessions – no workout is the same. Ludus bring you a new experience at every

session – a drink bottle, and a positive attitude is all you need.For more info go to www.ludusmagnus.co.nz, email info@ludusmagnus.co.nz or call 09 379 6803.