16 | Enhancing Whangarei’s infrastructure The recently completed $10 million roundabout at the intersection of Port Road and Kioreroa Rd marks a major milestone in the council’s infrastructure development programme. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Northland Transportation Alliance T T Karen Phelps Whangarei District Council has completed a major multi-year roading project, with several more initiatives in the pipeline – all designed to improve connectivity, open up land for development and mitigate the effects of climate change in the region. The recently completed $10 million roundabout at the intersection of Port Road and Kioreroa Rd marks a major milestone in the council’s infrastructure development programme, says Jeff Devine, transportation manager for Whangarei District Council. The roundabout has been designed to improve traffic flow at the busy junction, which handles approximately 20,000 vehicles daily. The new roundabout is the second phase of a $20 million project, following the successful completion of the Port Road Bridge widening in 2022. The first stage saw the expansion of the bridge to four lanes with a shared path. “The new bridge is higher than the old bridge to protect it against sea-level rise and flooding due to storm events,” explains Jeff. Both projects were constructed by United Civil Construction, with the bridge expansion receiving funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of the Government’s ‘shovel ready’ Covid-19 stimulus package. Under this funding agreement, the council targeted more than 60% of the work to be undertaken by local companies. The council is now turning its attention to another large project – Springs Flat roundabout, estimated to cost $18 million. Work commenced on the project in April, and Jeff says the project will provide safer connections to State Highway 1 from Te Kamo and facilitate access for future housing developments planned for Te Kamo East. “A roundabout at Springs Flat Rd has been under consideration for many years, since the development of the Kamo Bypass,” says Jeff. “Central Government funding has been secured through the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund to help pay for the project.” The new roundabout will include connections to Springs Flat Rd and Alcoba Street, shared paths, a signalised crossing across State Highway 1 and links to the Upper Hatea Loop Path. It will also enable the development of a new supermarket and shopping centre adjacent to the roundabout. In recognition of potential flooding risks, the council has incorporated additional flood storage into the design to minimise impacts, as the roundabout will be partially located in an existing flood plain. Supporting the Springs Flat development is the Gillingham Rd bridge replacement project, valued at $7 million and scheduled for completion by December 2025. The existing timber bridge, which currently has only one traffic lane and weight restrictions, will be replaced with a two-lane concrete structure. “The new bridge, combined with the new Springs Flat roundabout project, will enable the land to the north of the Waitaua Stream to be developed into residential housing to meet Whang rei’s housing demand as set out in the District Plan,” says Jeff. “We do recognise hapu concerns regarding impact on the whenua and council will be working alongside hapu to see how the impact can be mitigated.” longside these capital projects, the council has also approved new three-year road maintenance and renewal contracts worth up to $300m over nine years. Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract for the northern part of the district ($37.4m for he first three years) and Ventia will manage the southern area ($53.8m for the first three years). Jeff says these contracts include significant commitments to employing and developing small to medium local businesses, with approximately $6m worth of road rehabilitation work and nearly $9m in structures (bridges, culverts etc.) available for further tender. He says that through these investments in transport infrastructure, Whangarei District Council is demonstrating its commitment to improving road safety, enhancing connectivity, supporting regional development and building resilience against climate change impacts. “The new bridge is higher than the old bridge to protect it against sea-level rise and flooding.....” HOUSEHOLD WATER TRANSPORTATION EXCAVATING CULVERTS & DISHDRAINS DRIVEWAY REPAIRS & CONSTRUCTION ASPHALT ROCK WALLS ROADSIDE TRACTOR MOWING Office 09 435 2662 Mobile 027 286 8588 admin@northendcontractors.co.nz 19 winger crescent, Kamo, WHANGAREI BDX DELIVER INTEGRATED ENGINEERING, MAINTENANCE AND CONTRACTING SOLUTIONS FOR NORTHLAND. BDX GROUP ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT NORTHLAND TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE WITH CIVIL CONTRACTING AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES ENGINEERING | CIVIL CONTRACTING MAINTENANCE | MECHANICS KEEN TO WORK WITH BDX FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT? +64 9 430 2126 | info@bdx.nz
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