Contractors working for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi plan to drill a trial pile at the end of Chalmers Avenue, as part of preliminary work for the second Ashburton Bridge.

The work area near Robilliard Park has been fenced off and a gravel pad will be laid for the crane and piling rig.

Access to the Mania-O-Roto scout park and the Collegiate Squash Club remains, and people will still be able to access the river track.

Council’s Group Manager of Infrastructure Neil McCann said the actual piling work was planned for the week from 3 November.

“The hammering part will be loud at times but the noise won’t be constant as there will be pauses for welding and equipment changes. Residents who live closest to the site have been informed by letterdrop and we’ve also met with the scouts and the squash club so they know what’s happening.

“Council will also have a contractor working in the southern part of Chalmers Avenue for the next month installing new water pipes, so there’s a lot going on and temporary traffic management in place. The new water pipes will eventually take water over the new bridge too.”

The piling work involves driving a large steel pipe (1500mm in diameter) about 20 metres into the ground, using a crane-mounted hammer. After the pipe is installed, the material inside it will be drilled out and a concrete plug inserted; the plug will be hammered down inside the pipe to test ground strength.

Mr McCann said the trial pile was the closest piling work to residents in the entire project.

“The trial pile will help the bridge builders understand how the ground behaves so the right piles can be designed to safely support the new bridge.”

Three pine trees on the Robilliard Park side of the avenue will also be removed, and the wood donated to the scouts.

For more information about the second Ashburton Bridge project, you can sign up for email updates at nzta.govt.nz/2AB