Last month we finished geotechnical investigations in and around Ashburton/Hakatere River to help us understand what the ground is like beneath the surface.

We drilled about 20 boreholes across the width of the river and embankment using a machine drilling rig, about the size of a small truck.

The borehole samples are currently being tested in a laboratory and analysed. The information from this will help us design the new bridge and embankment foundations.

If you walk along the tracks by the river, either on the north side near Chalmers Avenue or on the southern side opposite Chalmers Avenue, you can now see where the bridge and connecting road will be built as we removed some vegetation to allow access for the machine drilling rig.

We’re back working in the Ashburton/Hakatere River

We know the river is a significant area for braided river birds, particularly the threatened black-billed gull (tarāpuka). We’ve been working closely with Environment Canterbury’s rivers and biodiversity teams to provide enhanced habitat for bird nesting ahead of the breeding season - away from the project area and ahead of construction starting.

Three existing, raised gravel islands in the river around the SH1 bridge have been identified as suitable habitat for nesting birds. We’ll be clearing the islands of vegetation and debris, as the birds need bare gravel islands for nesting. The removal of vegetation also removes any potential habitat for predators.

Work is starting downstream of the bridge before moving to upstream of the bridge. You might see excavators and off-road dump trucks removing material as we clear the islands.

Work will take place Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, from 4 August through to late August, subject to weather conditions.

For safety reasons, access to the river and along tracks may be restricted in areas where we’re working with machinery (on the Tinwald side of the river while we work on the islands downstream of the bridge and the Ashburton side of the river while we work upstream of the bridge). Access may change as we progress or move location so, please look out for signage at river access points.

Once vegetation has been cleared, we’ll assess the need for further work, such as diversion of the river flow around the islands to prevent predator access during nesting season.

Lizards

We’ve also got plans for looking after local lizards in the project area. We’ve surveyed the area to help us figure out how many lizards there are. Last month we applied for the necessary wildlife permit and have developed a Lizard Management Plan for DOC approval which includes how we intend to rehome the lizards, monitoring and pest control.

Archaeological authority

We have applied for and been granted archaeological authority for the project. This legal permit ensures the protection of cultural and heritage sites during construction and requires information on how we’ll manage any potential archaeological finds. We have a project archaeologist who would go on-site, assess the find and decide on what action should be taken.

What else are we doing?

We’re continuing to work through property acquisition, remaining statutory approvals and procurement, including a process to bring a construction contractor onboard before the detailed designs are completed.

This will allow the contractor to be involved in refining the details of the design, look at improved construction methods, understand the local opportunities and address any potential issues. We expect to complete this process later this month and to award a Design and Construct contract at the end of the year.

Come and meet some of the team

Next month, we’ll be holding an information session where you can pop in, see plans and ask questions. We look forward to seeing you:

Thursday 11 September, between 3.30pm and 6.30pm  at the Event Space at Te Whare Whakatere  the Ashburton Library and Civic Centre,  2 Baring Square East, Ashburton.

We’ll send out a reminder closer to the time.

Ngā mihi/Kind regards, 2AB project team

More information

For more information on the Second Ashburton Bridge project, and to subscribe to future updates, visit our website nzta.govt.nz/2AB

Or, contact us at 2AB@nzta.govt.nz