Aurecon strengthens New Zealand's fuel security with new diesel storage facility
Aurecon provided engineering support for Channel Infrastructure's 93-million-litre diesel storage facility, bringing an additional nine days of diesel demand coverage.
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A long-awaited new highway in Aotearoa New Zealand’s lower North Island has opened, after more than four years of construction. Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū-Tararua Highway is a new four-lane, 11.5km highway connecting Woodville and Ashhurst, replacing the former route through the Manawatū Gorge after it closed permanently in April 2017 due to a number of significant land slips over several years.
Aurecon is part of the Alliance responsible for consenting, designing, and constructing the highway alongside New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction Limited and WSP. In a first for a project of this scale, five iwi are partners within the project.
The opening of the new route will make a real difference for surrounding communities and cross-region transport efficiency, with the closure of the previous road resulting in long travel times and flow on effects to businesses. The new corridor will support economic growth as an important freight link between the Hawke’s Bay and the Manawatū regions. The new route is much safer and more resilient than the previous route through the gorge and will significantly reduce travel times.
Designing and building the new highway has been a challenging task, due to the unique environment. The route traverses the Ruahine Ranges and crosses the Manawatū River, in an area of high seismicity, pristine natural beauty and cultural significance.
"Te Ahu a Turanga is an impressive feat from an engineering perspective."
Ian Sloane, Transportation Industry Director, Aurecon
Driven by a philosophy of ‘treading lightly’, the Alliance developed a modified alignment that minimised impacts on the whenua or landscape, including avoiding an area of QEII covenant land and an operational windfarm. Steep gradients, major earthworks and several bridges have been required to carefully thread the route through the mountain range and sensitive landscape.
A highlight is the 295 metre-long Parahaki Bridge which carries the highway over the Manawatū River. The in-situ balanced cantilever bridge features a low damage seismic design, which is relatively unique in New Zealand. The superstructure is supported by seismic isolation lead rubber bearings, consisting of a core of lead surrounded by laminated rubber layers, which isolate the bridge from the ground. In an earthquake, the bridge will not sustain the same damage as a conventional bridge.
Aurecon’s Transportation Industry Director and Project Alliance Board Member Ian Sloane said seeing the project open was a proud moment for Aurecon and the community. “Te Ahu a Turanga is an impressive feat from an engineering perspective, with its unique landscape and clever design. But there are three things that stand out for me the most: the strength of the partnership with iwi, the culture of care (whanaungatanga) and commitment to excellence within the project team, and the community’s enthusiasm and engagement in this project. It is rewarding to be involved in a project like this that will make such a difference.”
The Alliance has set industry benchmarks for health, safety and wellbeing and genuine iwi partnership and delivered an enduring boost to the local economy by employing local people and contractors.
Group Director, Brand, Marketing & Communications
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