By Lynda Myer
By beginning of beneath ground investigations to test soil and water conditions, Physical works for New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project, which is Auckland Light Rail (ALR), are undergoing.
In order to helping decide the most technically viable route for the rail system, a 40m-deep bore hole in Sandringham is the first of several to be drilled so core samples can be analyzed.
According to ALR chief executive Tommy Parker: “The first pieces of a very complex infrastructure jigsaw are being put in place, the physical start to a challenging and exciting project that is going to bring so many positive changes to Aucklanders and our city.”
ALR is due to sink 30 holes between 10-80m deep along sections of light rail’s indicative 24km-long route over the next six months, while half of which will be tunnelled.
Additionally, Auckland Light Rail will draw on underground information already gathered by two other big infrastructure projects – the City Rail Link and the Central Interceptor, Auckland Council’s underground wastewater pipeline.
Providing a 3D picture of below ground conditions along the project’s proposed corridor, will be enabled by information from the samples.
In order to allowing Arup and Aurecon (the two companies in ALR’s planning and design alliance) to commence their work, a NZ$16m (US$9.9m) budget was approved last year, whereas the ground investigation costs are included in a further NZ$48.45m (US$30m) approved for the alliance to undertake work necessary to progress the project for construction.
Connecting the communities of Sandringham, Mt Roskill, Onehunga and Mangere with the airport to the south and the CBD and universities to the north, will be the advantage of Light rail.
