- Kia ora
- The importance of archaeology
- Ōtaki River Bridge – laying the last beam
- Opening of the new Rāhui Road Bridge
- Construction update
Kia ora
There’s been a lot of progress since our last PP2Ō newsletter. The images below capture just how much the landscape has changed since August 2017.
At the end of October, we achieved an exciting milestone with the landing of the Ōtaki River Bridge’s last beam, or beam number 110.
After a long wait two key milestones will be achieved in December with Old Hautere Road in the south and the new Rāhui Road Bridge in the North open to traffic and pedestrians.
Another milestone will be the diversion of traffic onto a section of the new local arterial road at the south end of the project in December. These moves mark significant progress on the project.
Once the traffic is moved to the new local arterial road, we can start to build the southern part of the Expressway. However, the Expressway alignment is already clearly visible.
We understand that major construction work is disruptive. Once again, I would like to thank the community for your patience as construction of the PP2Ō expressway continues.
If you need any further information on the PP2Ō Expressway project, please call us on 0800 PP2O INFO or email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz
Ngā mihi
Andy Goldie, Project Manager
April 2019
August 2019
The importance of archaeology
Archaeologist Mary O’Keefe, has been a key part of the PP2Ō project since construction began in 2017. Her role is to document the discovery of any artefacts or human remains that are discovered during construction, ensure all discoveries, no matter how big or small, are treated with the respect they deserve and that the appropriate people are involved in excavation work and decision about what happens to them.
“Being able to capture our history before it is lost is essential. The construction process can be destructive and invasive, and we have just one chance to record our past before it is lost forever,”
In the video below, Mary talks about her work and the importance of being on site during large construction projects.
Ōtaki River Bridge – laying the last beam
On Friday 25 October 2019, a major milestone was achieved for the PP2Ō project and the Ōtaki community with the laying of the 110th and final beam on the Ōtaki River Bridge. Each beam is 32.5 metres long and weighs approximately 65 tonnes. There are 11 beams per span and the bridge consists of 10 spans.
Combined, the beams make up over 3,600 metres in length, almost equalling the height of Mt. Cook or 360 lengths of a rugby field. In total, it weighs around 7,500 tonnes.
While the placement of the beams was not too difficult, the main challenge faced by the construction team was the tight access to the river bank and bringing 110 very long beams off a busy SH1.
Spanning 330 metres in length, the bridge is the largest on the PP2Ō Expressway. When the expressway opens in 2021, it will carry approximately 12,000 vehicles per day and provide a more resilient and efficient connection between northern and southern Ōtaki.
Opening of the new Rāhui Road Bridge
Our local community will have the chance to view the new Rāhui Road Bridge up close and personal at the end of the month, before it is opened to traffic.
To celebrate the achievement of a significant milestone, the PP2Ō project team invites the entire community to a BBQ and walkover tours of the Rāhui Road Bridge on Sunday 24 November.
Rāhui Road Bridge Community BBQ and Walkover
Date: Sunday 24 November 2019
Time: 11am–2pm
Location: Rāhui Road, Ōtaki
Please note, this event is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if poor or wet weather was to occur.
The bridge itself consists of five rows of 2-metre-deep girders, 150 bracing members connecting the girders and they’re all locked together with approximately 3,500 bolts. It weighs around 250 tonnes and is 51.3 metres long.
It’s expected to be open to traffic in early December.
The Rāhui Road Bridge has come a long way since this photo was taken.
Construction update
North Zone (north of the Ōtaki River to Taylors Road)
Rāhui Road / County Road / Pare-O-Matangi Reserve – Work in this area is progressing well. The Rāhui Road bridge structure is almost complete, and the kerbs are finished. The subbase, the layers which provide the base for the road surface, to both approaches have been finished. Works to the adjacent BP forecourt and motel entrance have also been completed.
There has been substantial undercutting of peat which has been replaced by sand between Bridges 2 and 4.
NIMT Rail Realignment and Ōtaki Station – Construction of the walking areas, which take you from the Ōtaki Railway Station into the town or onto the walkways, have been completed within the Ōtaki rail yard and lighting has been installed.
Bridge 5 (Ōtaki River Bridge), Bridge 6 (Ōtaki Gorge Road rail overbridge), Bridge 7 (Ōtaki Gorge Road expressway overbridge)
As mentioned above, the 110th beam was laid on the Ōtaki River Bridge on Friday, 25 October 2019. As the final beam for the bridge is now in place, work has started to pave the structure. The side, or facia, panels are also being constructed.
Aerial view looking north towards the Rāhui Road Bridge.
South Zone (south of the Ōtaki River to Peka Peka)
Te Horo Straight Section – Substantial work on and around the culverts along the Te Horo Straight has been undertaken. Culvert 24 has been completed and work adjacent to Culvert 35 has continued with earthworks and utility works well underway.
Culvert 36 remedial and pre-loading works were carried out and the Culvert 39 permanent stream diversion and lining works are nearing completion.
The central pier foundation of Bridge 8 (Te Horo Beach Road) has also been poured and column construction is well underway.
Marycrest to Peka Peka – All longitudinal drainage associated with construction of the Local Arterial Road (LAR) is complete between the northern tie-in and Te Kowhai Road. This allows for the LAR chip seal surface works to begin.
Gas and Telco relocation works is continuing with works still on track for the main Telco fibre tie-over in early December.
The LAR at Te Horo in the south is progressing well. The base layers have been laid and stabilised and are now awaiting the team to lay the chip seal surface. Traffic will switch to the LAR in early December. Graphics to explain the traffic switch will be available and circulated before the switch occurs.
Aerial view looking south with the new Ōtaki River Bridge in the foreground.
