Activities

Demolition on Stanley St - COMPLETED

Early in 2002, the project team cleared an area of land to allow construction to begin. Most of the demolition activity centred along Stanley Street and on the corner of The Strand and Ronayne Street. Initially, the cleared area was used for access during the shifting of the Tranz Rail Bridge.

Sedimentation tank - COMPLETED

The sedimentation tank is one of Auckland's largest facilities for improving the quality of storm water discharged into the Waitemata Harbour. During the construction phase, the tank captured and treated run-off from construction activity.

Now the project is complete, the sedimentation tank is connected to the new storm water pipeline, treating storm water runoff from the Grafton section of the motorway. With a floor area of 85m by 10m, the tank holds about 2.2 million litres of water. It can capture approximately 400 meters cubed of sediment (which equates to some 700 tonnes of dirt) before it requires emptying.

Benefit for the environment:
Cleaning of storm water before it is discharged into the harbour.

Grafton Rd Bridge - COMPLETED

The Grafton Road Bridge provides an underpass for motorway traffic to pass below Grafton Road, separating motorway and local traffic. Following an extended period of traffic diversion, the deck of the Grafton Road Bridge was opened for traffic in July 2002, well ahead of schedule. The bridge is on the same level and alignment as the original section of Grafton Road which it replaces.

Benefit for motorists and pedestrians:
Separation for heavy/motorway traffic from local traffic.

Tranz Rail Bridge and The Strand Realignment - COMPLETED

A new Tranz Rail overbridge on the corner of The Strand and Ronayne Street helps remove the "dogleg" intersection from Stanley Street into The Strand. Stanley Street now continues in a straight line under the new bridge.

To avoid disruption to trains, the new railway bridge was built next to the existing site on a sliding system. During Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2002, the railway line was closed and the construction team removed the tracks and the existing embankment, moving the entire bridge into place using hydraulic jacks.

Benefit for motorists and pedestrians:
Separation for heavy/motorway traffic from local traffic.

Auckland City Stormwater Pipeline - COMPLETED

By working with Auckland City Council to integrate an upgrade to the storm water pipeline through the area, Transit helped eliminated future works and disruption and also minimised associated costs.

The pipeline takes storm water from the sedimentation tank, discharging it into the Waitemata Harbour. At 2.3m diameter, the pipeline required a 3.5 x 4 m trench which had major impacts on traffic management in the area.

Benefit for motorists and pedestrians:
Separation for heavy/motorway traffic from local traffic.

Stormwater Chamber - COMPLETED

The stormwater chambers are an integral part of the work on Auckland City Council's stormwater pipeline and were brought forward to coincide with the Grafton Gully Project. Two new 150 metres cubed chambers connect existing pipeline sections with the new pipeline while also allowing for future connections. Constructed from precast concrete panels, the chambers were installed below The Strand and at the Stanley Street entrance to the Domain.

Benefits to residents:
The storm water chambers increase drainage capacity in Stanley Street. Integration of the storm water construction into the Grafton Gully Project has reduced future disruption to traffic.

Wellesley Street Bridge - COMPLETED

The Wellesley Street Bridge is a key structural element of the Grafton Gully Project. The new link, from Wellesley Street to Grafton Road, bridges the motorway, providing an effective connection to and from the Central Business District.

Work on the bridge involved the installation of massive precast beams which, when joined together, formed the basis of the deck. At 24 metres in length and weighing up to 50 tons each, the beams required special transportation onto the site.

Benefits to motorists:
This efficient link to and from the CBD separates local traffic from heavy/motorway traffic.

SH 16 Underpass - COMPLETED

With new on and off-ramps servicing the Northwestern (SH16) and Southern (SH1) Motorways, an underpass allows traffic from the SH16 off-ramp to connect with the new Wellesley Street Bridge. The off-ramp passes over the SH1 northbound traffic on the main alignment which continues under Wellesley Street Bridge and Grafton Road Bridge. The structure is designed to let in as much natural light as possible.

Columns at the beginning and end of the underpass ease the transition (into and out of the short tunnel) for motorists, avoiding sudden changes in light and allowing their vision to adjust.

Stanley Street - COMPLETED

As the nerve centre of the Gully, Stanley Street the scene of much construction activity. The Stanley St/Alten Rd intersection has been signalised and now includes pedestrian crossings. Further down Stanley Street, a new turning lane was constructed to ease the flow for left turning traffic. This lane is now separated by a traffic island and provides a free left turn into Beach Road. The street was widened overall allowing for smoother traffic flow along Stanley Street.

Benefit for motorists:
The dedicated left-turn into Beach Road and the improved Alten Rd intersection deliver improved traffic flows and efficiency.

Retaining Wall Panels - COMPLETED

The appearance of concrete structures and in particular, retaining wall panels throughout the project site were softened with careful urban design. The specially designed embossed panels feature stylized natural leaf shapes. These tie in with the re-established landscape that includes native broadleaf vegetation such as grasses and flaxes.

Benefits to the environment:
An aesthetic design solution blends "hard" structures with the "soft" landscaping approach.

New Motorway Alignments - COMPLETED

Two new alignments consolidate access to and from the Northwestern and Southern Motorways. The new stretches of state highway provide a dedicated corridor for motorway traffic in Grafton Gully. Motorists now access the motorway from the alignment, which starts at the Alten Rd intersection.

Benefits to motorists and pedestrians:
Separation of heavy/motorway traffic and local traffic improves safety and traffic flows.