31 October 2024:

Following a blessing, six months of preparatory work has started to enable a Herrenknecht tunnel boring machine to burrow a 1200mm pipe under much of Queen Street. The project, on behalf of Watercare Services, will reduce wet weather overflows into the Waitematā Harbour.

The harbour – a key beneficiary of the project.

Fulton Hogan’s Project Manager, Dominic Wakeland, says the preparatory work is mainly in service diversion, piling, shaft excavation and bracing. The first of the shafts enabling the entry of the boring machine will be 14.5m deep, 11.5m long and 5.5m wide.

Boring was chosen to minimise disruption above ground during construction. The machine is currently being built in Germany and will be operated by McConnell Dowell.

One of the biggest challenges for the project is the sheer number of contractors currently working in the vicinity. All are required to have their projects completed by the opening of the City Rail Link in 2026.

Watercare Chief Programme Delivery Officer, Shayne Cunis, says minimising disruption is key.

“Our construction partner Fulton Hogan and subcontractors are mindful of any impact on neighbours and users of Queen Street – one of Auckland’s busiest streets. For that reason, we are tunnelling, as opposed to digging an open trench.”

The pipe will capture wastewater from the eastern side of the city and connect with the Ōrākei main sewer, which will be relined as part of this project.

Shayne says the new pipework will produce a cleaner environment, improve the resilience of the network and allow for future population growth.

Stage two of the project is currently in design phase and will involve new wastewater pipes from Vincent Street to Greys Avenue car park. The work is due to be completed in 2026.

The project is part of Watercare’s10-year new infrastructure programme.