Challenging conditions lead to Horotiu project delay

Further complications with the Horotiu Road – Link to Northgate Business Park project means that the Park Road intersection will now be open to local traffic towards the end of July.

This is a change to an earlier pointer that indicated the intersection would have been opened by the end of June.

The extensive de-watering operation (pumping groundwater out of excavations, including trenches) required to install 5m deep new wastewater pipes under Horotiu Road has been progressing slower than was hoped.

The combination of ground conditions and weather at this time of year has contributed to this.

Earthworks has also progressed slowly due to many weather-related delays. It is not just a case of not being able to work when it is raining - the site needs a couple of days to dry out before the site can be worked again.

The final section of the wastewater pipes installation part of the project has been very challenging, with multiple existing or relocated services (power cables etc) having to be worked around, while at the same time having to de-water the deep trench.

So, we’re now looking to start on kerb and channel at the intersection on 24 June and thereafter, the work will be a lot less weather dependent than we have been.

For context, the entire project (roundabout and link road) has required around 130,000m3 of earth to be moved, 850m of stormwater pipe and around 950m of wastewater pipe (some at depths of 5m) to be laid, as well as new power, new fibre-optics, the relocation of HV power lines, as well as the road construction itself.

What the project achieves:

The Park Road-Horotiu road intersection will be open at the end of July. The project in its entirety is targeted to be complete towards the end of August.

• At this time the connecting road through Northgate Business Park to the Great South Road/Horotiu Bridge Road intersection will be open as well.

• This means the connection between the west towards Te Kowhai and Great South Road will be safer for motorists and pedestrians.
• When the new intersection is complete, traffic from Park Road will be able to make a right turn on Horotiu Road and then a left turn, giving way to traffic coming from Te Kowhai, to join Great South Road at the lights.
• The railway crossing on Horotiu Road will be permanently closed to traffic on the completion of this project, but pedestrian access across the rail-line remains.