Tauranga Eastern Link Fire

The Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) project team have been working through the challenges presented by the fire at the Domain Road interchange.

For the past three weeks design engineers and the insurance assessors have carried out inspections of the damaged section of the Domain Road interchange and undertaken a range of tests to gain a better understanding of the extent of the damage. The engineers looked for damage to the reinforcing steel, particularly where it has deteriorated in the heat and has caused cracking to the concrete.

From the initial investigation we know that the fire destroyed around a five metre section of the expanded polystyrene blocks and concrete deck of embankment two, damaged some of the concrete facing panels, the concrete deck beams and the columns of one of the Domain Road bridge B abutments.

Preliminary estimates put the cost of repair in excess of $2 million, however the exact figure will not be known until additional strength tests have been completed and the contractor starts dismantling damaged components later this week.

The contractors will begin preparing the site for demolition on Thursday December 18 and expect to be finished by Tuesday December 23.

The TEL team are focused on keeping the project to their target completion date, although this will be a challenge. Demolishing the damaged parts of the bridge before Christmas will allow the rebuild to start in the new year.

Despite the fire, it’s business as usual for the rest of the project, with several key milestones due to be complete over the coming months, including the completion of the Parton Road bridge, the installation of the new electronic toll gantry and the putting in place of the Mangatawa interchange bridge beams over State Highway 2.

People can keep up to date with progress on the TEL: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/tel

Q and A

What can you tell me about the damage caused by the TEL fire?

From the initial investigation we know that the fire destroyed around a five metre section of the expanded polystyrene blocks and concrete deck of embankment two, damaged some of the concrete facing panels, the concrete deck beams and the columns of one of the bridge abutments.

Preliminary estimates put the cost of repair in excess of $2 million, however the exact figure will not be known until additional strength tests have been completed and the contractor starts dismantling damaged components this week. (From DEC 18)

What has happened since the fire?

For the past three weeks design engineers and the insurance assessors have carried out inspections of the damaged section of the Domain Road interchange and undertaken a range of tests to gain a better understanding of the extent of the damage. The engineers looked for damage to the reinforcing steel, particularly where it has deteriorated in the heat and has resulted in cracking the concrete. The insurance assessors carried out inspections and a range of tests, and the contractor, Fulton Hogan HEB Construction Alliance (FHHCA), has been assessing a range of ways to dismantle and rebuild the damaged areas.

Do you know how much it is going to cost to fix?

Preliminary estimates put the cost of repair in excess of $2 million, however the exact figure will not be known until additional strength tests have been completed and the contractor starts dismantling damaged components this week. (From DEC 18)

How do you think it will affect the project? Will it push back the opening date?

The contractors will begin preparing the site for demolition on Thursday December 18 and expect to be finished by Tuesday December 23 so they can start rebuilding in the new year. Until we begin demolishing the damaged areas we will not know the exact cost or time implications. At this stage we plan to rebuild the embankment quickly and our goal is that there will be no effect on the project opening date (mid - late 2015), although this will be a tough challenge for the team.

Where to from here, what steps do you have to go through before you will know the extent of the damage and cost?

The contractors will begin preparing the site for demolition on Thursday December 18 and expect to be finished by Tuesday December 23. Once they have an idea of what needs to be replaced they will start ordering in replacement materials so they can start rebuilding in the new year.

Any problems sourcing items, such as bridge beams, if you do have to rebuild?

We do have to rebuild some components of the bridge and the EPS embankment. We believe we can get all of the materials needed.

Is there CCTV footage and what does it show?

No CCTV footage.

Has the fire affected the rest of the TEL?

Despite the fire, it’s business as usual for the Tauranga Eastern Link team, with several key milestones due to be complete over the coming months, including the completion of the Parton Road bridge and the installation of the new electronic toll gantry.

The Mangatawa interchange bridge beams over the TEL will also be put in place this week, which the public will be able to see when they drive on SH2 between Tauranga and Papamoa.

People can keep up to date with progress on the TEL: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/tel

Natalie Dixon / Media Manager – Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Strategy, Communications and Performance Group

DDI 64 7 928 7908 / M 64 21928413

E natalie.dixon@nzta.govt.nz / W nzta.govt.nz

Tauranga office / Level 3 Harrington House
32 Harington Street, PO Box 13-055, Tauranga 3141, New Zealand

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