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December 2020 - A year in review
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Construction milestones and some of the biggest changes on site this year
This year many exciting milestones were reached and the changes on site were quite remarkable - from demolition to the start of tunneling.
The utilities relocation work in both Mercury Lane and Beresford Square were a big part of construction in 2020. The team came across many old and unmarked ducts and cables and worked through Covid-19 to enable the commencement of the permanent works.
At Mercury Lane the first four months of the year showed significant changes in the site from demolition to the start of the temporary shaft as shown below.
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In March we began sheet piling for the temporary access shaft which is now 20-metres deep, and in July began construction of the noise enclosure which allows tunneling work to be carried out 24/7. The latter half of 2020 in Mercury Lane focused on installing plunge columns and Diaphragm walls and commence the ground floor slab.
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Tunneling tradition dictates work cannot start until the machines have been given a female name to honour St Barbara the patron saint of miners and tunnellers, and as a sign of good luck and safety for the project ahead.
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In Mercury Lane, two road header machines started excavating the station's 223-metre platform caverns and connecting the tunnel adits. The two road headers were also named and blessed - Jean Batten and Dame Valerie Adams.
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Tunneling also began in November in Mercury Lane. The 15-metre adit tunnel under Mercury Lane has been completed and the road headers are currently making their way north.
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In December the first concrete pour was made in Mercury Lane for the L0 slab which is the permanent ground floor of the station. Once the L0 slab is completed in early 2021 much of the construction activity will move underground.
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Beresford Square has also changed significantly over the year. With the completion of the utility diversion works and the installation of our time lapse camera we have captured a changing view of the Square.
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In early September we bored and installed six plunge columns located in a row down the centre of Beresford Square.
The work involves drilling to depths of around 40 metres, joining the sections of steel plunge columns together and lowering them into the hole. Concrete is then poured into the hole and left to set.
Plunge columns are temporary columns that support floor slabs during the construction of the various levels of the station. They are removed from within the station once the permanent walls and columns are completed.
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The Bentonite plant moved to Beresford Square in October and D-walls started soon thereafter.
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Completion of the D-walls in Beresford Square is scheduled for March 2021. This will be followed by the concrete pour for the L0 slab, which is the ground floor of the station.
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Development Response initiatives
Through-out this year, the Development Response team has been working diligently on strategies that attempt to mitigate the impacts of construction at street level.
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The Development Response Management Plan sets out measures that ensure access for our customers, supply chain and business continuity. You may have seen some of the awesome work around the Karangahape Station construction sites such as lights, artwork, hoardings and events to keep these spaces active and alive.
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In early 2020 around Beresford Square, fairy lights and festoon lighting were installed under the canopies, to make the space brighter and inviting to users. Then came the custom designed hoardings to allow for light and visibility and finally some artwork on the hoardings to brighten the area.
An added and unexpected bonus was the colourful film added to the clear Perspex casts a beautiful geometric pattern to the footpath on a sunny day.
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Following the drop to level one in October you may have seen the amazing temporary light installation in front of Hopetoun Alpha in Beresford Square. The spectacular lighting activation is based on sound waves and surrounded the massive Vector pit where a new 22kV power cable was installed.
Lighting displays act as a point of interest for frequent users of the space. It’s a way of letting members of the public know that this space is still ‘open for business’ during construction.
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More recently in early December, was the Link Alliance collaboration with Tautai Pacific Arts Trust for the Moana Wall launch along East Street hoardings celebrating and promoting Pasifika creative talent in the community. If you haven’t had a walk down that area it is worth a trip to check out some amazing art.
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Watch for more light installations and art in the New Year as we work to develop interesting points of interest to encourage people to tour the area.
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Friends we made along the way – Support your local!
This year has been both tumultuous and very difficult for kiwi businesses and we are in full support of backing your local businesses. This year we’ve made a few friends along the way, neighbouring businesses both new and existing have been operating throughout our construction this year.
Below are the lists of new businesses.
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Pitt Street and Beresford Square
Green Dolphin Books – vintage books
Checks – men’s retail
Ascolour – quality t-shirts and more
HeyYou – creative studio specialising in brand momentum
Studio Nineteen - women's retail
Def Store – clothes, jewelry, skateboards, shoes and hats
East Street and Cross Street
Mercury Plaza, Cross Street Market – Pop in for homemade cakes, sandwiches, pies. Coffee by Millers and a space that showcases local artist.
Beautiful Things Gallery, Ground Floor of 16 East Street – Chic and welcoming café and gallery. Check out their website for more information beautifulthings.nz.
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