Basque Park Pipe Diversion works
As part of the City Rail Link (CRL) project, the existing Maungawhau (Mt Eden) train station is being enlarged and redeveloped to incorporate a modern new station building with elevated views of Maungawhau (Mt Eden) and a platform for the new CRL line.
The Basque Park Pipe Diversion works was a small but essential part of the Maungawhau Station upgrade for the CRL. Redeveloping the station displaced pipework which needed to be redirected and joined at a nearby interconnection at the park.
Diverting the pipeline allowed for an upgrade to older infrastructure on this section as well as separating wastewater and storm water pipes. This work contributed to reducing flood risk at Basque Park while allowing wastewater to be properly treated.
The Basque Park works included the Maungawhau’s smallest tunnel breakthrough. To redivert the waterpipes, the team used horizontal directional drilling which is a construction technique where a tunnel is drilled under a designated area and a pipeline is then pulled through the drilled underground tunnel.
The drill rig successfully drilled underneath New North Road, allowing the team to pull a 5.6-metre-wide pipeline through the micro tunnel using a pully system. Check out the video below of the drilling rig.
Basque Park art hoardings
Link Alliance has worked with local residents, businesses and park users to minimise the impacts of construction through a combination of local events, art on hoardings and information sessions in the park.
Artwork hoardings include pieces from artists Deborah Crowe, Ashleigh Taupaki, Erika Pearce and local early childcare centre the Learning Space.
Much loved Basque Park art hoardings are being recycled and relocated to Nikau and Shaddock Streets near the Link Alliance info spot to provide visual beautification to the perimeter of Maungawhau Station (Mt Eden).