16 | 2024 CCNZ Awards: Higgins Contractors T T Karen Phelps Flood-damaged network restored The Awhitu Road sites, situated on the steep-sided areas of the Awhitu Peninsula, approximately 250 metres above sea level, presented particular challenges. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Liveable Streets, a joint venture between Higgins Contractors and HEB Construction, has earned recognition as a finalist in the projects under $2m category at the 2024 Civil Contractors New Zealand awards for its work on the Awhitu Slip Repairs project. Liveable Streets’ response to the devastating floods of January and February 2023, which severely impacted South Auckland’s rural road network, demonstrated its capability to deliver comprehensive civil construction services under challenging circumstances. “The aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle created an urgent need for swift action. We had to develop comprehensive plans with Auckland Transport and its partners to make the area safe and ultimately recover the network for affected communities,” says John Cross, Higgins region manager Auckland and Northland. The Liveable Streets team, together with Auckland Transport, managed both the immediate emergency response and the subsequent development of a two-year recovery programme. The Awhitu Road sites, situated on the steep-sided areas of the Awhitu Peninsula, approximately 250 metres above sea level, presented particular challenges. “These were extremely complex sites to manage,” explains John. “We were dealing with the loss of half the road width, surrounding topographical constraints, and the critical need to maintain traffic flow while recovering the full road width. The community’s access to areas like Pollok, Graham’s Beach and Matakawau depended on the teams’ success.” He says the project showcased Liveable Streets’ commitment to community engagement, with the team implementing an innovative approach to keeping local residents informed and involved. This included site blessings from local iwi, community meetings, and educational sessions at the local school, where machinery demonstrations and site visits helped build understanding and support for the works. The company assembled a specialist team during the site assessment phase, including Andy O’Sullivan Associates for geotechnical design, Easy Earthworks as the primary subcontractor and GSI for slope stabilisation. This early, collaborative approach enabled them to analyse initial design options from both theoretical and practical perspectives, identifying construction risks early to achieve optimal results, says John. “Weekly coordination meetings using digital platforms ensured seamless communication between all stakeholders, while regular onsite meetings allowed the team to address construction challenges in real-time. This comprehensive collaboration proved crucial to the project’s success.” The team investigated numerous technical solutions before determining soil nails were most appropriate to stabilise the slope. To create working space for the chosen soil nail design, the team developed an ingenious solution by temporarily shifting the road alignment, safely allowing traffic to pass while the works were completed. “This project stands as a real example of what can be achieved through collaboration and teamwork,” says John. “By bringing together Auckland Transport, Liveable Streets, specialist designers, and contractors from the earliest stages, we created a motivated group with a single focus – getting the road network back to full capacity as quickly as possible.” Liveable Streets’ work on the Awhitu Slip Repairs project forms part of a larger programme addressing 25 storm-damaged sites across the region. John is proud that its successful delivery of these critical repairs has helped restore vital transport links for South Auckland’s rural communities. “The recognition from Civil Contractors New Zealand reflects Liveable Streets’ commitment to technical excellence, project-management capability and quality assurance across its operations. Higgins Contractors and HEB Construction are immensely proud of the achievement.” TREE MAN TRAV 0210 538 141 No Project Too Big Or Too Small Proud providers of expert TTM to Higgins Contractors +64 7 889 6075 justine@ontimetrafficmanagment.co.nz ontimetrafficmanagement.co.nz
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