NZTA has shared their monthly progress report on the Penlink Motorway Construction project with local communities.

Works near the State Highway 1 and East Coast Road bridge sites have become more visible as bridge abutments are taking form.

Deep excavations into both sites were used to remove weaker underlying material and be replaced to create strong foundations.

The East Coast Road site also had wick drains installed as part of the excavations to create a passageway for underlying water.

A further six months will then be reserved for the pre-load period of the East Coast Road site.

This will ensure the ground compacts and reinforces the bridge’s strength and stability for future years.

With the weather becoming warmer and drier, the project will enter its busier period as its third earthworks season begins.

From approximately 1 October to 30 April, massive amounts of earth will be moved across the project.

Currently 461,000 cubic metres of earth have been shifted since 2022.

By the end of this season, the project aims to have 1 million cubic metres of material moved.

Vegetation has been planted within and outside construction boundaries to balance the effects of construction on the environment.

At Archer’s Block and Long Bay, 150,327 native trees were planted.

Finally, to maintain traffic flow across Ara Wēiti Road, temporary diversionary roads will be constructed in three stages.

The first stage will open in mid-October, and the second late in the month.

Date for the third is yet to be confirmed.

A temporary traffic management system will also be in place to assist this.

As construction continues, NZTA maintains its goal of ensuring timely communication is delivered to communities affected in the area.

The stakeholder and engagement team is currently also seeking on the experience of their engagement approach, via an online survey. The team encourages feedback.