Dempsey Wood completed Stage 1 of Tiverton Road Widening for Auckland City Council. The contract entailed widening the existing carriageway between Blockhouse Bay Road and Tiverton Street in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.
The overall project, worth $17 million, is part of Auckland City Council’s vision to strengthen the connection between Auckland and Waitakere cities, and provide an efficient and safe transport link to Transit New Zealand's State Highway 20 extension.
Work involved building two retaining walls along the existing service lane on the south side of Tiverton Road. The 4.5m high concrete wall comprises of large diameter piles, in situ constructed columns and capping beam, with multi-strand ground anchors and precast concrete retaining planks. The structural elements of the wall were covered with 40 precast panels with an undulating design. At the eastern end of the service lane, a timber retaining wall was constructed. New concrete and steel safety barriers were also installed between the service lane and Tiverton Road.
Both walls allowed for the widening of Tiverton Road from two lanes to four, which was completed under the same contract. For Dempsey Wood, traffic management was a crucial component of the contract, requiring full-time management and monitoring of a Level 1 slip lane road. Extensive signage, public safety and stakeholder liaison were integral to the project. The project was completed with about 7500 native inspired trees, shrubs and grasses planted along the residential service lane to soften the monolithic look of the structure.
Both Auckland City Council and Dempsey Wood regard this project as a model of best practice and credit their respective teams' collaborative efforts for its successful completion.
‘In addition to coordinating the technical aspects, the Project Managers worked collaboratively
to build good relationships with the community – responding promptly to concerns and maintaining the
service lane during construction.’
Tim Lott, Transport Infrastructure Delivery Manager, Auckland City Council.