62 | CIVIL Downer - Otago T T Karen Phelps Innovations key to project success The 400-metre bridge, serving as the sole heavy-vehicle route between Dunedin and Balclutha, remained operational throughout the threemonth construction period, despite hosting approximately 10,000 vehicles daily. T T to page 64 Downer has taken out the 2024 Construction Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) Otago Hynds Award for its groundbreaking work on the State Highway 1 Taieri River Bridge Barrier Replacement project. “It was a unique project, working at heights on a high-volume section of State Highway 1,” says Downer project manager Jake Hawker. “It was also the largest bridge retrofit I have heard of in the Southern hemisphere, and showcases the company’s exceptional innovation in both safety measures and technical solutions.” The $2.2 million project, which involved replacing wooden guardrails damaged in multiple vehicle incidents, demonstrated how creative engineering solutions could enhance safety while maintaining crucial transport links. The 400-metre bridge, serving as the sole heavy-vehicle route between Dunedin and Balclutha, remained operational throughout the three-month construction period, despite hosting approximately 10,000 vehicles daily. Jake says the project team developed three key innovations to address significant safety challenges. Firstly, it pioneered the use of temporary steel barriers bolted directly to the bridge deck, providing unprecedented protection for workers from live traffic. Testing revealed the barriers would move no more than 10mm, even under heavy impact, effectively creating a safe working zone on the narrow bridge. 0800 CUT I T 4U ( 0800 288 4848 ) Ema i l : o f fice@accu r a t ecu t t i ng . co . nz Web : www. accu r a t ecu t t i ng l t d . com First electric robotic demolition equipment in New Zealand Concrete x-raying / Scanning Highest cutting and drilling abilities within Dunedin using the latest equipment and technology Extensive health and safety standards and systems Concrete grinding and floor polishing BRANCHES IN: Dunedin/Christchurch/Amberley/Rangiora INCORPORATING Alpha Equipment / Fulcrum Equipment / NC Hire 0800 4 TRICO (0800 487 426) hire@trico.co.nz www.TRICO.co.nz Construction Access Equipment Hire We Provide concrete kerbs, channels and footpaths for: • • • • 027 433 0531 | Office: 03 344 1597 Email: Proud to support Downer Group Phone: info@kerbandchannel.net.nz www.kerbandchannel.net.nz 027 4 3 0531 | O
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