Enabling works on Te Toka Tumai Auckland’s Central Plant and Tunnel Project have been successfully completed on time, despite the disruption of COVID-19.

Senior Project Manager, Matt Beswick, is pleased about the end result. “The enabling works were, in my opinion, a massive success. A relatively small team managed to complete quite complex works in a very small footprint, most while under COVID-19 ‘Red Light’ protocols. The entire scope was delivered on time and LTI Free – a great result. This has set the foundations for the team to smash out the main works over the next three years!”

The nine-month construction programme drew heavily on McConnell Dowell’s expertise in deep-foundation construction, and effective disruption mitigation. Work included the removal of old utilities, the construction of 115 retention piles, and a concrete capping beam. Electrical and three-waters services were also installed, with some connected while ‘live’ to prevent disruption to the hospital.

The project team effortlessly shifted gears in July to deliver the second part of the contract, constructing the complex five-storey central plant structure and a tunnel for access and services.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Tan Hee Wee to the position of Managing Director South East Asia. 

Hee Wee's experience in infrastructure construction spans the public and private sectors across both operations and pre-contracts. He has spent time in senior leaderships roles at John Holland Group, Gammon Construction Ltd and SoilBuild Construction Group, as well as establishing his own professional consultancy business. 

With significant ties to Australia, Hee Wee completed his tertiary education in Melbourne, spending the early stages of his career as a Research Fellow for the Victorian Department of Transport.  He also holds post-graduate qualifications from the Imperial College in London, is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and an active member of the Singaporean branch in his current role as Deputy President.  

Hee Wee's longstanding contribution to the Singaporean construction space makes him a particularly valuable asset for McConnell Dowell and we look forward to seeing the SEA arm of our business thrive under his leadership.   

Please join us in welcoming Hee Wee to the McConnell Dowell Group.   

McConnell Dowell have been awarded the next stage of Watercare’s North Eastern Sub-regional Wastewater Scheme, the Warkworth to Snells Transfer Pipeline. The pipeline is the next stage of the scheme which includes the Snells Algies Outfall completed by McConnell Dowell in 2021, and the Warkworth Pump Station currently being constructed by the team.

McConnell Dowell’s success in securing the contract was largely due to the Direct Pipe® construction methodology proposed to minimise disruption has been used to complete (among other projects) Watercare’s Army Bay and Snells Algies Outfall Projects and the Westland Milk Products outfall project in Hokitika. Our commitment to excellent workmanship, coupled with productive relationships and robust health and safety systems resulted in high-quality projects that were delivered with minimal disruption for the client.

The majority of the transfer pipeline will be installed using the trenchless micro tunnelling technique Direct Pipe®, with a tunnel boring machine (TBM). This installation will be completed in three Direct Pipe® drives.

The new wastewater transfer pipeline comprises the following:

• a dual rising main approximately 1.4km long from the Warkworth Pump Station to a new break chamber, and
• a single gravity sewer approximately 3.6km long connecting the chamber to the new Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant.

These wastewater infrastructure upgrades will ensure local communities continue to have reliable, resilient wastewater services and meet the needs of Warkworth’s growing population well into the future. The improvements will also reduce overflows and discharges into the Mahurangi River.

Click through to find out more about the Warkworth Pump Station Project under construction or the Snells Algies Waterwater Outfall Project.

The ‘Ngā Hau Māngere’ bridge constructed by McConnell Dowell on behalf of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency was officially opened to the public on Saturday 27 August.

The bridge previously known as ‘Old Māngere Bridge’ was gifted its new name ‘Ngā Hau Māngere’, which ’means “gentle lazy winds’ by local mana whenua.

Thousands of people turned out to the opening day event and crossed the stunning new walking and cycling bridge connecting the Onehunga and Māngere Bridge communities.

After three years of dedication and hard work and despite the difficulties and challenges faced, the team successfully delivered this elegant bridge on time, LTI free and with an excellent environmental record.

The deconstruction of the 105 years old bridge and construction of the new bridge was very challenging due to its location within a sensitive marine environment and underneath high voltage powerlines. The design of the new bridge was very technical and the team needed to construct complex concrete structures such as the V-shaped piers in the middle of the harbour. About 414 tonnes of steel deck and arch also needed to be lifted carefully into place beneath the high tension powerlines.

Throughout construction, the project team maintained a strong community focus, keeping the local and wider community informed of the progress made through; quarterly Newsletters for the local community, monthly ENews, presentations at community groups, site visits, community open days…

Strong relationships were established in the local community over the course of the three-year project. The project team’s partnership with mana whenua ensured the area’s history and culture were reflected in the design and the delivery of the new bridge and that care and respect were shown to the environment during construction.

Congratulations to our team, our client Waka Kotahi, designers Aurecon, and our subcontractors and suppliers for delivering this iconic project.

Below is a video of the Ngā Hau Māngere bridge opening celebration.