Count down to the main works
Welcome to the first Karangahape newsletter for the City Rail Link where we will bring you all the updates on progress of construction in Beresford Square and Mercury Lane.
Its hard to believe that as the year starts to wind down, the main works in Karangahape and Mercury Lane will start to ramp up. We're still doing some early works in Beresford Square to identify locations of utilities ahead of diverting them starting in January 2020. Utility diversions in Mercury Lane will start in mid-November. Right now we are also installing monitoring equipment to enable us to gauge the impact of construction on the surrounding environment.
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Key dates
October - January 2020 for both Mercury Lane and Beresford Square
- Building condition surveys
- Environmental monitoring set-up
- Geotechnical investigations
November 2019 in Mercury Lane
- Last business tenants leave Mercury Plaza
- Demolition begins on 4 November
- Utility diversions start mid-month
December 2019 in Mercury Lane
- Ongoing utility diversions and demolition
- Permanent hoardings erected - community to be involved in the development of creative
- Stop work for Christmas on 21 December at the latest
January 2020 in Mercury Lane
- Utility diversions continue
- Ongoing demolition
- Permanent hoardings continue to be erected
- Restart work on Monday 6 January 2020
January 2020 in Beresford Square
- Beresford Square permanently closes to vehicle traffic
- Wilson Parking lot at the bottom of Beresford Square closes to establish site offices
- Utility diversions commence following the square closure
- Fences are erected around the utility diversion sites
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Environmental monitoring
We have identified a series of buildings in Karangahape Road, Mercury Lane, Pitt and Cross Streets near the station site areas which will be part of the instrumentation monitoring system installed for the City Rail Link.
To do this, we will install monitoring marks (or ‘prisms’) on the outside of buildings and on the ground surrounding the construction sites to continuously take measurements from each of the monitoring marks. If any excessive movement is detected, the monitoring system alerts the construction team who can then take action to prevent any effects to neighbouring buildings.
More information on monitoring scroll down under fact sheets
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Geotechnical investigations
Geotechnical investigations enable us to collect soil and rock samples, and therefore gain a better understanding of the conditions beneath the ground at each of the construction sites. We use this information to help us design the new stations and tunnels and to decide how best to construct the project.
More information on geotechnical investigations click and scroll down
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Site office opens on Mercury Lane
The new site office has opened on Mercury Lane where over 200 tradies will be located until February 2020. Demolition in Mercury Lane will begin 4 November following salvage.
Visit the Info Hub in Beresford Square to find out more about the project, it's open every Thursday from 5 - 6 PM until 21 December.
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Utility Diversions
We will start relocating utility services, such as electricity, gas, communications, water, stormwater and wastewater in Mercury Lane in mid November 2019. The work involves digging temporary trenches within footpaths to allow for the utilities to be relocated. We need to move the services because they are within the construction footprint. Utility relocations will also take place along parts of Beresford Square and Pitt Street in early 2020.
What to know more? Click and scroll down to fact sheets
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What to expect during demolition on Mercury Lane and East Street
- Demolition will start 4 November 2019 and take 4-6 months
- Demolition areas will be safely fenced off and large excavators will work on site to take buildings down and safely remove the debris
- Cross Street will remain open to traffic
- Traffic on Mercury Lane and East Street may be reduced to one lane at times
- Some pedestrian diversions may be required
- Access to all properties in the area, including the Wilson carpark will be retained.
For more information on demolition
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Salvaged and recycled wood
Taofi Taulelangi and Timi Fisilau spend some spare time making a couple of planter boxes from salvaged wood at the Mercury Lane demolition site. The boxes will be gifted to the Karangahape Business Association in Beresford Square where demolition will start in early 2020. Mercury Lane demolition starts 4 November.
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Minimising impacts
A range of activities are being developed to keep the public space around construction sites bright and pleasant to support local business including:
Hoardings – protective barriers that go around work sites will direct people how to access local businesses and services
Business support activities – business packs, maps, directories, events and promotional campaigns will be part of a support package to be developed with neighbouring businesses
Keeping you informed – regular construction updates, newsletters and information popups will be established to ensure the locals are in-the-know. Also, door to door visits and face to face meetings will be conducted to ensure businesses and residents concerns are reflected in our management plans
Wayfinding – wayfinding signage will safely redirect people around our work sites
Street cleaning – regular street cleaning will be carried out around the sites to ensure all spaces are kept clean and tidy and free of any debris
Noise mats – will help buffer the noise and water will be used for dust control. Wheel washers and sweeper tractors will be onsite to ensure streets around the site are kept clean.
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Karangahape Road enhancement project update
Works are progressing well at both ends of Karangahape Road. The footpath at the intersection of Symonds Street and Karangahape Road has reopened for pedestrians and footpath works are continuing down towards Queen Street.
Drainage works from Ponsonby Road to Hereford Street are largely complete and the kerb and channel along this section is being installed. Drainage works are continuing along Karangahape Road from Hereford Street to Howe Street.
For more information:
Email: karangahaperoad@jfcitd.co.nz
Phone: 0800 573 532
Website: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/karangahape-road-enhancements/
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Karangahape Road celebration
Celebrate everything loved about our neighbourhood and join the Karagahape Business Association for the next First Thursdays event on Thursday the 5th of December 2019 as the area is filled with live music, drag queens, poetry, markets, performance art and more! First Thursdays is Karangahape's famous bi-annual street festival and is a popular event on the Auckland City Centre's calendar. We look forward to celebrating Karangahape Road's unique, inclusive and diverse identity with you at this ever popular street party.
Photos from our last First Thursdays can be found HERE and HERE.
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