Bus and Coach Association Notifications

Construction Update January 2017: Southern Corridor Improvements

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Welcome to the January 2017 construction update for the New Zealand Transport Agency's

Southern Corridor Improvements Project

PROGRESS THROUGH DECEMBER

Over the last month, we installed a safe work zone on the southbound side of the motorway between Orams Road and Hill Road. In this area, temporary changes included lane narrowing, a reduction in length of the SH20 merge lane, and reducing the speed limit to 80 kph. We continued working in the median and shoulders between Hill Road and the Pahurehure Inlet. We also continued working to widen the motorway bridges over the Papakura Stream, and the KiwiRail Lines.

Manukau Interchange to Hill Road:

• Southbound lanes were narrowed and new barriers were installed just north of Orams Road through to Hill Road.
• The southbound SH20 merge lane was slightly reduced in length to ensure traffic merges safely before the Orams Road Bridge.

Hill Road to the Takanini Interchange:

• Earthworks and drainage continued along the southbound shoulder of the motorway. This included shaping of the new open channels (also known as swales), which help treat stormwater as it runs off the motorway.
• Paving operations continued under the Alfriston Bridge.
• Retaining wall and noise wall construction continued along the southbound side of the motorway between Alfriston Road and the Takanini Interchange.

Takanini Interchange to Pahurehure Inlet:

• Vegetation clearance continued along the northbound shoulder in preparation for drainage works.
• Light pole installation continued in the median.
• Earthworks and drainage continued along the southbound shoulder of the motorway. This included shaping of the new open channels (also known as swales), which help treat stormwater as it runs off the motorway.
• Retaining wall and noise wall construction continued along the southbound side of the motorway.

Other Areas:

• On the Papakura Stream Bridge, bridge deck construction began, while earthworks and drainage works continued. This included shaping of the new open channels (also known as swales), which help treat stormwater as it runs off the motorway.
• At bridges crossing the railway line and on the Spartan Road Bridge, deck construction continued. Retaining wall construction also continued in those areas.
• Offsite, production of precast components for retaining walls, noise walls, and bridges continued.

Over the next month, we will continue working in the median and shoulders between Orams Road and the Pahurehure Inlet. We will also continue working to widen the motorway bridges over the Papakura Stream, and the KiwiRail Lines. The Orams Road Bridge construction start date has been delayed. An update will be included once the date has been confirmed.

Work this month includes:

Manukau Interchange to Hill Road:

• Under the Hill Road Bridge, a concrete pad will form the foundation of a bridge pier protection structure (please see the attached photo).

Hill Road to the Takanini Interchange:

• Retaining wall and noise wall construction continue along the southbound side of the motorway between Alfriston Road and the Takanini Interchange.
• Vegetation clearance continues in the Fergusson Reserve to prepare the site for the new northbound Takanini on-ramp.
• Drainage works will commence in the median under the Alfriston Bridge.

Takanini Interchange to Pahurehure Inlet:

• Retaining wall and noise wall construction continue along the southbound side of the motorway.
• Vegetation clearance continues along the northbound shoulder in preparation for drainage works and noise wall construction.
• Earthworks and drainage will continue along the southbound shoulder of the motorway. This includes shaping of the new open channels (also known as swales), which help treat stormwater as it runs off the motorway.

Other Areas:

• On the Papakura Stream Bridge, bridge deck construction, earthworks and drainage works will continue. This includes shaping of the new open channels (also known as swales), which help treat stormwater as it runs off the motorway.
• At bridges crossing the railway line and on the Spartan Road Bridge, deck construction will continue. Retaining wall construction will also continue in those areas.
• Offsite, production of precast components for retaining walls, noise walls, and bridges will continue.

With the narrowed lanes, there is less time to react to other vehicles and it is important that motorists keep to the 80 km/h speed limit past our work areas. There will be ongoing truck and project vehicle movements accessing the shoulder and the median work sites. Keeping both motorists and our team members as safe as possible is imperative and we need everyone's help to do this.

As always, we will be doing our best to minimise effects of these works on motorists as much as we can. We thank you for your patience as we work to improve journey reliability and safety along the Southern Corridor.