Major expressway project causes few environmental problems

A major project to construct two new expressways in Tauranga was handled so well it caused few environmental problems, says Environment Bay of Plenty.

Regulation and monitoring committee chairman Ian Noble has congratulated Tauranga City Council and Transit New Zealand on their management of the PJK Project over the past five years.

Mr Noble says the project was on a very large scale and complex with work often carried out close to urban areas. “Because of that, there was the potential for major problems but, in general, it seems it went extremely well. And that’s not easy task.”

The PJK Project involved the construction of two expressways into Tauranga, from Waihi Road on State Highway Two and the Kaimai Rd on State Highway 29. The work required 20 consents for earthworks, culverts, bridges and water diversions and discharges.

Environmental consultant Norm Ngapo told the regulation and monitoring committee key issues included careful planning of works before winter, the staging of winter earthworks and careful control over stormwater discharge from the disturbed areas.

After a major storm in April 2000, he says on-site earthworks contractors were “extremely vigilant” in ensuring that the winter earthworks programme did not cause on problems off-site. “Essentially the contractors took ownership of the site, planned the works prior to each winter, and followed the plan.”

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