McConnell Dowell with joint venture partner Fulton Hogan and designers Beca and Tonkin + Taylor delivered the SH25A Taparahi Slip Remediation Project for client NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in six months.
This national recovery project involved rebuilding a section of State Highway 25A in Coromandel - New Zealand, by constructing a 124m long by 15m high three-span composite bridge across a major slip.
A project this scale would normally take 18 months to two years to complete. However, due to the urgency of reopening this community link, McConnell Dowell Project Director Hugh Milliken said, “The project team planned an accelerated timeframe of nine months which our incredible team then beat by another three months. The project came in under budget with a superb health and safety record, no LTIs or MTIs over the 117,08 hours worked, and in time for Christmas and the busiest season for locals.”
McConnell Dowell Construction Manager, Aimee Pene says; “undoubtedly, it’s been a massive team effort. I think it being a seemingly impossible task, only galvanised our team’s resolve to deliver. I really hope they feel proud of what they’ve achieved, and they know how crucial their contribution has been. And to the Thames and Coromandel communities - thanks for the exceptionally warm and continued welcome, we’re so stoked we got this done for you.”
McConnell Dowell Managing Director New Zealand & Pacific Fraser Wyllie said, “This project presented multiple challenges which the team responded brilliantly with a positive team culture, close collaboration and strong relationships with all parties making it possible. For the team, this project was never just about building a bridge, it was about reconnecting the Thames and Coromandel communities as soon as possible. The two communities have had it tough, with the slip and the road closure earlier this year but despite the disruption and difficulties, the locals have supported the team the whole way through the project which made a major difference to morale. On behalf of the whole team, ‘I’d like to thank everyone for the warm welcome, your generosity, and kind messages of support.”
Find out more about the project https://www.mcconnelldowell.com/projects/state-highway-25a-taparahi-slip-remediation
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi video:
Photos of the bridge completed.
We recently teamed up with UPPAREL to reduce our textile waste, particularly our used PPE (personal protective equipment).
Upparel is Australia and New Zealand's leader in textile recovery and recycling. Its Textile Recycling Collection Program addresses the fashion industry's impact on the environment by:
- preventing textiles from reaching landfills
- extending the lifespan of clothing through efficient sorting and recycling
- raising awareness about the environmental impact of textile waste.
Upparel won 'Best Waste and Recycling Solution' at the 2023 Victorian Sustainability Awards.
Upparel bins are installed across our offices and project sites. See what happens to our donated clothing:
Say hello to Victoria's first green canopy on a railway station rooftop!
The new Deer Park Station precinct, which we're delivering as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project, features landscaping and rooftop gardens on the station buildings to bring the surrounding area’s volcanic plain grasslands into the station, with a mix of native grasses and wildflowers.
2023 was a whirlwind of over 700 promotions and transfers that sent our incredible people soaring to bigger, better, and downright exciting places - whether that's conquering fresh horizons or shaking things up in a new business unit.
But we're not just tossing our people into the deep end. We've got their back with study leave, study assistance, and turbocharged leadership programs. Think the prestigious Melbourne Business School level of turbocharged – yep, we're talking top-tier!
Over the weekend, the team that delivered the Ngā Hau Māngere / Old Māngere Bridge Replacement Project for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency was over the moon after winning the CCNZ Hynds Construction Awards, Category D (projects valued $20 M - $50 M) for the Auckland region.
David Pattinson, McConnell Dowell Project Manager, proudly accepted the "Category D Award" trophy on behalf of the team thanking the client, designers, suppliers, and site team. He dedicated the award to previous Project Manager Keith Griffin.
“Keith was a big part of the success of the delivery of this project, and is sorely missed - this one is for him", said David.
Shortly after, the team was called back on stage to receive the Hynds Supreme Award.
Fraser Wyllie, McConnell Dowell Managing Director New Zealand & Pacific, accepted the trophy and said a few words on behalf of the team:
“This project was exceptionally challenging due to its location within the sensitive harbour environment and underneath high voltage powerlines while constructing a complex bridge. The key factor contributing to the success of this project was the dedication and hard work of the people who delivered the project. Throughout the delivery of the project, the team lived and reflected our company’s values “Safety & Care, Honesty & Integrity, Working Together and Performance Excellence”. Congratulations to everyone involved in this project, you all deserve this recognition.”
The new bridge Ngā Hau Māngere has reconnected the communities of Onehunga and Māngere Bridge providing a walking and cycling connection with a vision to create a destination for community enhancement. Its design was developed in collaboration with mana whenua and reflects its environment and the cultural significance of the area, with the colours of the balustrade and the stainless steel handrailing representing the colours of the kahawai fish living in the Manukau Harbour, the pre-cast edge beams incorporate a pattern (Puhoro design) representing the wave action and the heritage garden at the northern end showcases salvaged pieces salvaged from the old bridge providing a legacy for future generations. Another project that aligns with our purpose of “Providing a better life” - this is exactly why we do what we do.
To find out more about the project click here.
Photo: L-R: Tom Jefferd, Daniel Patten (MCD), Clint Hill (MCD), Adrian Batterham (MCD), Andrew Pluim (MCD), Clifford Overbury (MCD), Martin Leak (Resolve Group), Aimee Pene (MCD), Fraser Wyllie (MCD) and David Pattinson (MCD).
