Business South November 2022

| 51 Downer Canterbury Karen Phelps Recognised for excellence By using aqua dams to create dry work areas for the widening of the river channel and construction of abutments the dams were quick and easy to install. CONTRACTING FLOOD PROTECTION BARRIERS FLOOD RESPONSE SERVICE CIVIL WORKS WATER CONTROL Kaiapoi Mill, 35 Ranfurly St, Kaiapoi | 0800 FLOODING | hydroresponse.com Matt: 027 212 3843 Of ce: 03 323 4231 625 Marshland Rd, Belfast PO Box 76203 Christchurch of ce@pidgeoncontracting.co.nz www.pidgeoncontracting.co.nz Asphalt Laying Kerb & Channel Subdivisions Footpaths Driveways Carparks Minor Earthworks Excavation Siteworks PARFITT C O N S T R U C T I O N We were proud to have been able to assist Downer and CCC on this prestigious project. Thanks to our staff and suppliers for a job well done. 027 223 1724 | alex@parfittconstruction.co.nz We Provide concrete kerbs, channels and footpaths for: Road reconstructions • Subdivisions • Maintenance works • Driveways • Residential gardens Phone: 027 433 0531 | Office: 03 344 1597 Email: info@kerbandchannel.net.nz | PO Box 16-591, Hornby, Christchurch 8441 www.kerbandchannel.net.nz Proud to support Downer - Canterbury Key innovations on the Lower Styx/Marshland intersection and bridge upgrade has seen Downer named a finalist in the Civil Contractors New Zealand 2022 awards in the category of projects between $5m and $20m. Undertaken for client Christchurch City Council, the $8.5m project is helping to support urban growth and promote safety for road users at the busy junction. It saw Downer widen the existing bridge from 10 to 18m, install new traffic control signals, dedicated pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes and improve street lighting. Downer Regional Manager - Transport Projects South & Pacific New Zealand, Gareth Husband, says that the project posed significant challenges including sitting near a sensitive river environment, home to the rare New Zealand native lamprey fish, climbing nettle, and skinks. Construction involved complex activities occurring simultaneously: river diversion, piling, service relocations and culvert installation in soft ground conditions. He says this required Downer to innovate, which also resulted in programme savings. For example by using aqua dams to create dry work areas for the widening of the river channel and construction of abutments the dams were quick and easy to install and significantly more environmentally friendly than sheet piling alternatives. This methodology also enabled the bridge works to commence six weeks early. The use of temporary staging piles installed either side of the river rather than within it, facilitated construction while mitigating impact on the sensitive river environment. Downer also saved two weeks on piling and completed the finishing works and traffic signals one month earlier than planned. Working collaboratively in a team environment was also key. Engagement and collaboration with subcontract partner, Parffit Construction Ltd, from tender stage to develop detailed temporary works staging, temporary propping for the beam placement, hastened mobilisation and set up to site. The project was completed with zero harm to the environment and saw Downer implement a world first method to fish for rare native lampreys and relocate them. The team worked with the project ecologist, Greg Burrell, to develop a successful practical option to relocate the lamprey juveniles (ammocoetes) as the bank was excavated using a plastic lined skip. “The skip was filled with water and a scoop of bank material. The ecologist would then electro fish the slurry and salvage the ammocoetes that came to the surface. This was completed over a number of passes until no more ammocoetes were found. Electrofishing was also undertaken on the riverbed and box drain to ensure there was no lamprey within the silts. During box drain works the team removed areas of timber to ensure no adult lamprey were hiding behind them before the area was filled. In the end over 1000 ammocoetes and adult lamprey were relocated. Since completion, the lamprey have been observed using the new structure, which goes to show our team didn’t scare them off,” says Gareth. The project was delivered in line with the Downer ISO Accredited Quality System, which encapsulates AS/NZS 9001:2015, 14001:2015 and 45001:2018 standards, while the quality policy drives delivery of consistently high quality outcomes for customers, says Gareth. “Key hold points were the implementation of Environmental Controls, Earthwork and Pavement layer inspections, and Pre-Pour inspections. These hold points ensured we minimised the effect on the local fauna and flora as well as ensuing works were completed to a high standard and suitable for the intended use.” The contract was awarded to Downer on 14th December 2020 and a team mobilised to site on 25th January 2021. On 20th December 2021 after only 11 months of construction, Downer completed the bridge and intersection on budget and six months ahead of schedule. Gareth says that all works were completed with zero harm to people and the environment - a testament to robust planning and controls and excellence in execution.

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