Although Penlink’s earthworks season ended at the end of April, the construction crews will continue to be very busy during the upcoming wet winter months.

During the earthworks season, a total of 59k of soil was removed from the construction sites.

Minor works will continue throughout winter, which included building access tracks and site access points, ground improvements and tree felling.

Those driving along East Coast Road would have noticed teams clearing trees along the road. 

This is part of a two-stage process, due to the proximity of the overhead power lines running through the area. 

The second phase will commence once the power lines are relocated in the newly installed ducts along East Coast Road.

Test pits were dug on sections of Ara Wēiti Road and Whangaparāoa Road as part of geotechnical investigations. 

When you dig a test pit, you make a shallow hole in the pavement to expose the soil and geological formations. 

This allows the geotechnical experts to assess the ground for the upcoming road works and see if it's suitable. 

The information gathered from the test pits ensures the infrastructure is built safely, and effectively.

The gecko spotlighting and rehoming work finished at the end of April too. 

A total of 357 critters found are 193 plague skinks, 51 ornate skinks, 96 geckos (forest and elegant), and 17 copper skinks.

Works start on the west side of the Wēiti River in June to build out the western temporary platform and will finish in December. 

A 280-tonne crane will be used to carry out these works and build a temporary platform of 243m in length.