By rosebell
Th tunneling work at the Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project in North Taranaki, New Zealand, has been commenced by New Zealand-based transport agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
With the aim of bypassing the steep, narrow, and winding Mt Messenger area, which is prone to natural hazards, the Mt Messenger Bypass involves building a new section of State Highway 3.
Improving road safety, resilience, and journey experience, will be the advantages of this project and the new 6km route, from Uruti to Ahititi, bypasses the Mt Messenger section of State Highway 3.
Two bridges, one 125m as well as another 30m long, plus a 235m tunnel are the contents of this project, whereas the new route is due to be lower and less steep, enhancing travel.
Using a 110-tonne road header machine the first cut was made to excavate a 235m tunnel as part of the Bypass project.
The road headers are perfect for various geological conditions, with boom-mounted telescopic cutting heads, as NZ Transport Agency stated.
In order to collecting dug rock and soil, which is then transported via a belt to dump trucks at the rear, the road header has a shovel plate at the front.
While boosting the resilience of State Highway 3, the 235m tunnel is a key component of the Bypass project.
According to NZTA project manager Caleb Perry: “We’ll start to see some progress with the road header excavating up to three metres every day. The tunnel will be cut in two stages, with the upper portion (top heading) first, followed by the bottom section (bench). At regular intervals, excavation will be paused and ‘shotcrete’ – a sprayed-on concrete, will be applied to the crown and walls to line and support the structure. The design and construction of the tunnel are similar to the Northern Gateway Tunnel in Auckland and the tunnel will be large enough to accommodate loads up to and including house removals, this isn’t something that can currently be accommodated on the steep, narrow winding stretch of SH3.”
The scheduled date for completion of the excavation process is end of this year.
