Subscribe to RSSKiwi Birds Protected During Construction
NZTA construction on a major upgrade to the highway starts in Kerikeri tomorrow and kiwi birds are getting special attention.
Electronic monitoring will be carried out to ensure North Island Brown Kiwis living in the area remain safe during construction with special working practices designed around the native bird’s protection. In addition, a new 100m fish-friendly culvert is being planned to create hospitable conditions and free passage for native fresh water fish.
Northland road users will enjoy safer, straighter and easier journeys on SH10 at Bulls Gorge, Kerikeri, when the NZTA finishes construction.
The $7.5m realignment is north of Puketona Road (SH11) and 2km south of the Kerikeri Road intersection.
NZTA will celebrate the start of construction on the two-year project at an event along with local iwi Ngati Rehia and Ngapuhi and guests including Mayor Wayne Brown, project partners, neighbours and the local business community.
NZTA Regional Director Wayne McDonald explains the benefits of the project:
“Some 1.7km of winding road with sharp corners and steep gradients will be realigned to improve safety and travel times. Two right turn bays and a heavy vehicle pull-over area on the northbound uphill section will be created. Widened, sealed shoulders will create more distance between cyclists and vehicles providing a more comfortable drive for all road users.”
SH10 is a popular tourist route and is well used by industry across the region as a strategic link between Auckland and the Far North and east coast regions.
Construction will be carefully managed to minimise disruption. A temporary sealed road will be created to ensure the route stays open throughout the upgrade. Services, including power and fibre optic cable, will be protected and relocated as required.
The NZTA and its project consultants, Northern Civil, and contractor Transfield Services, have worked closely with DOC on a range of measures to tread lightly during construction. As a result, land has been exchanged between road and scenic reserves, resulting in no net loss to the scenic reserve. Plans have also been put in place to re-vegetate and landscape the completed road with native trees cultivated at local nurseries.
Up to 190,000m3 of earthworks are required to level the road, with cuts and fills of up to 20m deep needed to create the new alignment.
5 Comments
Too bad readers can’t comment about the transport ministers driving record.
“Kiwi Birds Protected During Construction” Why call them kiwi birds? We do not have “duck birds” or “pukeko birds”
@Ian I can’t remember any other time I have closed comments and I don’t like doing it - but the first two comments that flew in were highly actionable (i.e. defamatory) and as I am out of town, I won’t be able to monitor the thread every second to ensure someone doesn’t sue the pants of me.
We would hate for you to lose your pants
Keep up the good work
Cheers
Paul
@Paul If you saw some of the harsh emails that come in, you have to develop a thick skin!!