Manukau Road Resurfacing

26/05/2022

Overview

The planning and delivering of the recent Manukau Rd resurfacing project is a great example of innovative initiatives used by the Central Contract Team, to deliver a successful project outcome for Auckland Transport and Auckland Transport customers.

Manukau Road is a major arterial in Central Auckland, linking to the busy shopping centre of Newmarket to the north, as well as the airport and ASB Showgrounds to the south. It has a mix of residential, commercial, public places and special purpose, including several schools and major event facilities.

We are proud of our longstanding history providing local road maintenance and renewal services across Tāmaki Makaurau, and the strong collaborative partnership with Auckland Transport to deliver these essential services. 

Challenge

Done traditionally (at night), the project was expected to take between 4 to 6 weeks depending on weather delays to complete and would create at least 18 days of disruption for over 170 local business and stakeholders, including schools, medical facilities, places of worship and a shopping mall, as well as the risk created by having 28 transverse joints as a result of paving over 18 shifts. There was also an additional challenge of working around public transport routes to minimize impact. 

Traffic Management and project delivery was an added challenge, particularly being in an urban area, with the team working around surrounding businesses. There were a few complaints from customers during project delivery, with one complaint from a business owner who commented on the alleged loss of his business. 

Solution

The challenge of timing presented us and Auckland Transport with an opportunity to push the boundaries of a traditional approach, rethink the methodology and create a solution that would maximise efficiencies, minimise disruption to our our stakeholders, and importantly reduce our overall carbon emissions. A "Super" weekend was also put in place whereby 30,000 m2 of road surface was milled and paved over four day and four nights. The new methodology reduced the project duration and stakeholder disruption by 70% when compared with the traditional solution.

The team also took a proactive and personalised approach to inform/consult stakeholders about the upcoming work. This included the design and development of an information pack for those directly affected. The information pack was sent out in a personalised email to over 160 stakeholder contacts. 

Outcomes

The information was well received by stakeholders, who distributed the information with their contacts and communities. Several church groups and sports clubs shared the information on their websites and e-newsletters. Downer also received positive feedback from AT’s Senior Contract Engineer. The result of the "Super" Weekend meant there was less disruption to road users, as well as residents, businesses, community facilities and events. 

The project has identified the impact operational planning can have on the total emissions of a project as well as highlighting the impact on emissions from asphalt production.

Added value

One of the biggest benefits of the new methodology was the overall reduction seen in carbon emissions over the duration of the project. We also provided a safer corridor for our workers and the public drivers to operate in.