52 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Fulton Hogan Dunedin - DCC Shifting freight from CBD Stage 3 is centred on the Strathallan Street corridor, a hub for transport operators and industrial businesses. T T from page 50 Member DOUG ALLEN FENCING CLARK FORTUNE McDONALD - LAND SURVEYORS - LAND DEVELOPMENT - PLANNING CONSULTANTS QUEENSTOWN | DUNEDIN | CHRISTCHURCH | GORE www.cmfa.co.nz Dunedin - Ph: 03 477 1999 Proudly Supporting Fulton Hogan - Dunedin Transport Ltd • General Cartage • Trombone Trailer • Container & Artic Work • Fly Jib • Crane Trucks with Winches & Man Bucket Cromwell - 34 McNulty Road, Ph: 03 445 0010 Invercargill - 245 Bond Street, Ph: 03 218 4444 Dunedin - 45 McGlashan Street, Mosgiel, Ph: 03 489 8201 Excavators ♦ Loaders ♦ Dozers Rollers ♦ Dump Trucks Graders ♦ Scrapers Earthmoving & Construction Equipment Machine & Equipment Imports Specialising in the Hire of Earthmoving & Construction Equipment Heavy Trax Hire A DIVISION OF RJ STEWART LTD HIRE Stage 3 has leapfrogged Stage 2 in the delivery order. “Stage 3 has gone ahead because we had completed the design and consultation, and it was ready,” Susil says. On the ground, Stage 3 is centred on the Strathallan Street corridor, a hub for transport operators and industrial businesses. Recent pavement upgrades along the street have laid the groundwork, with current works focused on road markings and intersection improvements to keep traffic moving. A new roundabout is being built at the Ōtaki–Orari intersection, a key junction for freight moving between the harbour, industrial areas and the state highway network. The Strathallan–Ōtaki intersection and the Portsmouth Drive–Strathallan Street junction are also being reshaped. “At the Portsmouth Drive–Strathallan Street intersection we are upgrading the signals and providing two lanes heading to Portsmouth Drive,” Susil says. Stage 3 has a budget of approximately $2.8 million, with contract pricing agreed between the council and its contractors. The project comes as pressure grows on Dunedin’s transport network, including from construction of the new hospital and changes to traffic flows in the central city. “With the new hospital and other facilities coming, we are expecting more traffic in the central part of town,” Susil says. For freight businesses based along Strathallan Street, the upgrades are expected to improve throughput and reduce delays. “If you take Strathallan Street, there are many transport companies there. That is one reason we are focusing on that area, and from the businesses, they are welcoming this change,” Susil says. Delivering the work has presented challenges, particularly building the Ōtaki– Orari roundabout within a busy industrial area. “Closing that intersection and getting it done with minimum disruption to businesses was one challenge — all these businesses are getting their deliveries, heavy vehicles are getting there, and we need to cater for that demand in the design and construction,” Susil says. The council and its contractors have worked closely with affected businesses to minimise disruption and keep freight moving during construction. “We’ve got very good communication going on with these businesses, and we’re getting it done as quickly as possible to reduce the impact,” Susil says. Winter deadlines have added urgency to the work programme. “We’ve got a race against time because before the winter we need to get things done,” Susil says. “When we are doing these works there are disruptions — road closures and traffic management — but when it is done, you will have a better asset, and I have to thank everybody for their understanding while we get it done.” The project is being managed by Dunedin City Council, with Fulton Hogan as the main contractor and Stantec providing design and construction support. “Things are happening smoothly. We are working together with a good understanding,” Susil says. Stage 3 is currently on track for completion by the end of June. Susil says the full benefits of the bypass will be felt once all stages are complete, building on the foundations laid by Stage 1.
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