16 | Overcoming challenges Wastewater and water supply networks were renewed, a new water supply trunk main was installed along the length of the road. T T from page 14 Wakatipu Transport Alliance REGIONAL Queenstown Ltd CONTRACTING Contact TREVOR JONES | Phone: 021 381 913 Email: info@earthworksqueenstown.co.nz Earthworks & Excavation • Section Clearing • Agricultural Work Landscaping • Heavy Haulage & Salvage • Locally Owned & Operated Proudly supporting the Wakatipu Transport Alliance www.precisionprofile.co.nz | sales@precisionprofile.co.nz | 03 477 7277 | 12 Birch St. Dunedin Otago’s Plate Cutting Specialist • Mild Steel • Stainless Steel • Aluminium POLY PIPE SERVICES NZ LTD P O LY E T H Y L E N E Supply Electrofusion Buttfusion Plastic Fabricators TONY VICKERY P E F The project also had to contend with an existing underground utility network of approximately 143km, much of which was poorly recorded. Rather than relying solely on existing service plans and GIS information the team used Total Station equipment, Real-Time Kinematic GPS, laser scanning and drone technology to build a more accurate picture of the underground environment as construction progressed. Managing the underground services required us to continually improve our understanding of what was beneath the site,” says Oliver. “We used technology and detailed investigation work to reduce the risk of clashes, delays and disruption.” Wastewater and water supply networks were renewed, a new water supply trunk main was installed along the length of the road, parts of the overhead electricity network were undergrounded and telecommunications and gas networks were rerouted or upgraded. Stormwater presented another significant challenge with new networks designed to collect and filter water before discharging it at three locations — two into Horne Creek and one directly into Lake Wakatipu. All three outfalls were completed without significant incident. The project’s proximity to Queenstown’s heritage buildings added another layer of complexity. A nearby historic church was assessed before construction began with vibration monitoring continuing throughout the works to ensure construction remained within specified thresholds. Conventional sheet piling was avoided because of the vibration it can generate. Instead the team adopted a slower methodology involving drilled H-piles, self-compacting material and carefully installed steel plates. The Ballarat Street stormwater works also required construction near landmark trees, the courthouse and a late-1800s bridge, with monitoring and temporary works used to minimise vibration and settlement risks. Archaeological considerations were also built into the project. An authority covering excavations across the wider site was obtained in advance and an archaeologist attended several key excavations. Finds included bottles, plates and a stone culvert. Oliver says the project has a strong cultural dimension. Its retaining walls incorporate the longest mahi toi Māori artwork expression on public road infrastructure in New Zealand. Kāi Tahu artists were involved throughout the fabrication process, visiting the Christchurch precast concrete facility to inspect the panels and ensure the finished etching and detail captured their vision. “The cultural elements were not simply added at the end of the construction process,” says Oliver. “The artists were active participants, and their involvement helped set a very high standard for the quality of the finished work.” The Alliance also had to manage the impact on people living and working around the site. Two apartments were purchased and demolished to enable the new road alignment, and two others were reconfigured and refurbished. At the same time the Alliance delivered the Arterial Road alongside its Lakeview subdivision and Queenstown Town Centre Streetscape projects. Oliver says that starting the three projects within six months of the Alliance agreement helped reduce the overall construction footprint and the length of disruption for the community. He says safety remained central throughout the programme. More than 1.44 million hours were worked across the Arterial Stage 1, Lakeview and Streetscape projects, with daily prestarts, weekly lookaheads, regular programme reviews and twice-daily coordination briefings helping teams manage the concentrated volume of activity. “Communication and coordination were fundamental to delivering the project safely. Everyone needed to understand what was happening around them, what the risks were and what controls were in place,” says Oliver. Our other services include . . . Hydrovac Excavation | Road Sweeping Truck &Machinery Hire | Mobile Dustless Sandblasting | Jetpatching | Pothole Repairs E: comscentral@gmail.com W: www.comscentral.co.nz P: 03 445 3040 M: 027 533 7709
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