Innovative engineering delivering PPP project’s largest structure
Construction of the Transmission Gully Motorway project’s largest structure, Cannons Creek bridge, is underway and deploying a cutting edge engineering solution to manage steep terrain and build the bridge 60 metres above ground.
Solution flies girders and bridge deck into place
At the Cannons Creek bridge site massive steel girders and bridge launching gear are on site. A 60 metre long launching nose, weighing 240 tonnes, will connect to the girders and help guide the bridge across the valley.
Watch how the 230 metre long, steel girder bridge at Cannons Creek will be launched over the valley on to two 60 metre high piers here.
Foundations for the two piers alone required 13,000 m3 of concrete.
Cannons Creek bridge is one of 29 bridges being constructed by the project. When completed, the Transmission Gully Motorway will have more than 1 kilometre of bridges and underpasses along its 27 kilometre route.
NZ’s first roading project procured through a PPP
The NZ Transport Agency signed a public private partnership (PPP) contract with the Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP), which includes Pacific Partnerships, to design, construct, finance, operate and maintain the new Transmission Gully motorway for the 25 years that will follow the construction period.
WGP has contracted a joint venture of CPB Contractors and HEB Construction (CPB HEB JV) to undertake design and construction and Ventia, CIMIC Group’s 50% owned associate, is contracted to carry out the motorway’s operation and maintenance.
The motorway is scheduled to open for traffic in 2020 following a five year construction period.
Outcomes and benefits
WGP is incorporating state of the art design and operations strategies to ensure the PPP achieves its planned outcomes – delivering safety, travel and economic benefits.
The Transmission Gully motorway will be a key component of the 110 kilometre Wellington Northern Corridor road of national significance, which when fully completed will provide a safer, more reliable and more efficient highway connection from Levin to Wellington, connecting the city to the growing economic centres of Kapiti and the Manawatu and subsequently the wider North Island.
Importantly for the Wellington region, in the event of a major earthquake, it will be quicker to reinstate the Transmission Gully motorway than the existing State Highway 1. The motorway will also reduce traffic on the existing State Highway 1 which will provide a safer environment for communities along this route.