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.