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This year’s construction awards, sponsored by Hirepool, attracted 21 entries over five categories. Contractors’ Federation executive officer Malcolm Abernethy says the large number of entries demonstrated the confidence and pride contractors had in their projects. “Contractors are paying considerable attention to planning, control and quality issues and we are seeing some excellent projects being delivered to all specifications. It’s this kind of close attention that results in repeat work.” As well as a huge number of entrants, there was a wide variety of project type. “We have projects ranging from pioneering spirit and methods of construction – such as the Papatotara Coast Road construction near Invercargill – through to highly technical, tightly organised and complex constructions like the Tahuna Ocean outfall in Dunedin and the Marstel tank facility at Mount Maunganui. Applicants are judged on key performance indicators such as construction methods, customer relations, human resources, teamwork, partnering, planning and control, quality control, pre-planning, financial controls, location and logistics, site control and risk. CATEGORY ONE WINNERConstruction Contracts, Cockayne Road Stormwater, Ngaio, Wellington
Construction Contracts undertook the work that was originally designed using open trenching methods by employing a selection of work methods that minimised disruption to traffic, rail commuters and private properties. New 315mm diameter stormwater mains up to 3.8 metres deep were installed using trenchless methods – pipe bursting under existing driveways on private properties, pipe ramming under the Johnsonville railway line and under Cockayne Road to an existing manhole.
New stormwater manholes and sumps were constructed to improve the capacity and hydraulics of the stormwater system. The full selection of pipe laying methods was used on this project to protect existing vegetation and to reduce remedial works to public and private property. CATEGORY TWO WINNERRoss Reid Contractors, Pukekohe Hill East Gully Stormwater Detention dam, Auckland
The contract was let at the end of summer and had a 20-week contract period, meaning that the client wanted the project to be constructed during winter. The existing dam was drained and contaminated sludge removed from site and where required, vegetation was removed. The existing stream flow was temporarily relocated into a channel with low stream flows, pumped from behind a small coffer dam.
Work could only be constructed during small weather window opportunities with Ross Reid rising to the challenges presented by carrying out earthworks during winter. The project also includes a pipe thrust under Kitchener Road and lining of the spillway with Reno mattresses. Downstream channels were also rock lined for scour protection. CATEGORY THREE WINNERBrian Perry Civil, Cliff Road Retaining Wall (stage 2), Auckland
Achilles Point had become unstable due to wave action and required retaining. Brian Perry Civil was contracted to install 126 reinforced concrete retention piles – 600mm and 750mm diameter, 15 metres deep. Seventy-five multi strand ground anchors were drilled and tensioned at the top of the piles through the reinforced concrete capping beam and high tensile tie-rods installed at the point. Three drill rigs were used for the construction of the different sized piles and ground anchors on a confined site bordered by expensive residential properties. The work was carried out within a short construction programme (16 weeks) that required all work to be completed by Christmas 2008. Design modifications and the addition of drainage works saw the scope of the work increase by 33 percent with the project still to be completed by the agreed date. Brian Perry Civil met the challenges posed by the client delivering the project on time and within budget. CATEGORY FOUR WINNERUnited Civil Construction, Whangarei Heads Sewerage Scheme (stage 3)
A network of 15 pump stations and associated emergency storage facilities were constructed. The pump stations were linked with 23 kilometres of HDPE rising main and 13.5 kilometres of gravity sewer. This network also included 230 manholes and 476 property connections. The project is located within a coastal urban environment at Whangarei Heads with the sites presenting difficult access, confinement and variable ground conditions. Ground conditions encountered included sands, hard rock and archaeological sites in the form of middens. The work was completed on time and within the project budget, including variations and extensions of time. CATEGORY FIVE WINNERMcConnell Dowell Constructors, Tahuna Ocean Outfall, Dunedin
Temporary works were required into the surf zone to allow construction. Two trestles were constructed to allow work and materials access, particularly wen launching the HDPE pipe that connected with the tunnelled section of the works. The project was technically complex, requiring extensive planning and programming. As the programme was critical, work methods were developed for most activities and these were trialled before completing the tasks in the marine environment. Weather and sea conditions allowed only short time frames in which to complete the works.
McConnell Dowell worked collaboratively with Dunedin City Council to ensure a no surprises approach to the contract that was completed within budget. Merit awards were given to:
Contractor Vol.33 No.8 September 2009 All articles on this website are copyright to Contrafed Publishing Co. Ltd. |
Upgrading of the stormwater system around Box Hill Station using pipe bursting, pipe ramming and open trench methods.
Approximately 50 metres of 525mm diameter pipe was laid in close proximity to the railway and a further 33 metres of 300mm diameter pipe was laid in private property.
Works consisted of the construction of a stormwater quality pond and flood detention dam within an unnamed tributary of the Tutaenui Stream, Pukekohe.
The replacement dam was constructed using over 15,000 cubic metres of imported clay materials.
Retaining of the unstable Achilles point and Cliff Road in the affluent St Heliers suburb. Scope included around 190 metres of retaining wall, rock anchors, road construction and associated civil works.
Stage 3 of the Whangarei Heads Sewerage Scheme was completed by United Civil Construction in late 2008 and is the largest, by value, capital works contract that has ever bee let by Whangarei District Council. It is also the first significant contract undertaken by United Civil as a fledgling company.
McConnell Dowell was contracted to design and construct an ocean outfall for Dunedin City Council. The projected included micro tunnelling – pipe pulling over 590 metres through the surf zone 250 metres offshore, and HDPE pipeline – 1500 metres at 1.4 metres diameter at a depth of 25 metres.
Much of the project was constructed and tested underwater, requiring the development of inspection and test methods that assured the quality of the completed works. Extensive use of divers was required to make final connections and to complete the extensive inspection and testing plan that formed a key component of the project.