McConnell Dowell Operations Manager Joe Edwards has been elected a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers New Zealand, in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to the engineering profession.
Presented at a Gala Awards dinner on Friday 7 April, his citation read:
"Joe Edwards is elected a Fellow of IPENZ for his leadership and service in the construction industry, particularly in relation to tunnel safety. He has made an impressive contribution to setting industry standards and developing best practice guidance, especially in the area of extractives industry safety and training. This includes time as President of the Civil Contractors New Zealand, continued involvement with mining safety organisations and input into legislative changes in relation to tunnel construction. Much of this work has been on a voluntary basis while simultaneously holding the role of Operations Manager for McConnell Dowell, which has involved oversight of many large, complex projects."
Throughout his 40 year career, Joe has achieved senior operational management roles and his extensive experience and expertise spans most aspects of engineering and construction, particularly in the tunnel and underground sector, where he is regarded as an industry expert.
His contribution to the civil construction industry has included numerous positions in industry groups and Boards including the Pike River Implementation Industry Group, responsible for the drafting and review of the new Health and Safety Act 2015, the Mines Rescue Board, as well as providing expert advice on health and safety in underground construction to WorkSafe as a member of the WorkSafe Advisory Council. Last year he was recognised with a CCNZ Life Membership for his services to what is now Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ). Joe served on the National Executive of CCNZ for 13 years including two years as President.
“Joe is held in high esteem in the construction industry, not only by fellow contractors, but by consulting engineers and clients alike,” says McConnell Dowell Managing Director Roger McRae.
“In all the time I have known Joe, he has always been highly ethical and professional and has never wavered from this in everything that he does. He maintains very high personal professional standards and has always displayed honesty, transparency and integrity in his approach to engineering and construction activities.”
A new stormwater outfall to be constructed at Army Bay near Whangaparaoa north of Auckland will be a construction first for New Zealand.
McConnell Dowell will be installing the 2km onshore section of the 3km outfall pipe using Direct Pipe®, a construction methodology never before used in the country.
Direct Pipe® is a relatively new trenchless technology that combines the advantages of micro-tunnelling and HDD to install prefabricated steel pipe strings 120m at a time. The pipeline is installed well below the ground surface, posing a much lower environmental risk than other methodologies. (Watch a video of Direct Pipe® here)
McConnell Dowell adds this latest project to our extensive track record in offshore pipe installation, including marine outfalls at Rosedale, Pegasus Bay, Clandeboye and Tahuna, marine works at Taharoa, and the successful use of Direct Pipe® by McConnell Dowell on the 4th Parallel pipeline in Thailand.
.
Further to our news posted on January 25, Aurecon have tabled thier report following thier investigation into the technical issue at the South Road Overpass. In conjunction with our design engineering consultants, AECOM and Wallbridge & Gilbert, we continue to review Aurecon’s report after receiving a copy this morning.
As long-standing, well-regarded companies with a strong track record in designing and constructing major infrastructure projects in South Australia, we regard the movement experienced with the Shared Path Bridge as a matter of significant concern.
We are committed to continuing to work with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure to find a safe, permanent solution.
McConnell Dowell's building arm, Built Environs has been awarded the contract to deliver the U2 on Waymouth project on behalf of developer Datong Australia.
The development comprising 27 levels, will deliver 257 apartments into the heart of the Adelaide CBD. Located at 114 – 122 Waymouth Street, the JPE designed building will incorporate many aspirational features including a fitness studio, sauna, spas, outdoor lounge with BBQ facilities and ground floor restaurant and retail.
The project commences onsite in March 2017 with completion anticipated for in early 2019.
This project was secured after a competitive tender, followed by an exclusive negotiation period, where Built Environs worked with Datong to advance the building design, whilst meeting budget and program milestones.
“The U2 on Waymouth project was identified by our business as a priority project to secure. The skill and proactivness of our team and the willingness of the client to work collaboratively in achieving this milestone is extremely pleasing. We look forward to working with Datong to deliver this exciting project for Adelaide.” Built Environs Managing Director, Daryl Young said.
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the contract for the Dryandra Road Works, a significant structural element of the New Parallel Runway by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC).
The Dryandra Road Project is a reinforced concrete 4-lane underpass structure, supported on approximately 700 precast concrete piles including 1.5km of roadway, full underpass fitout with portions of taxiway and airfield road mounted atop the underpass structure.
The existing Dryandra Road is located north of the Domestic Terminal at Brisbane Airport and is to be realigned as part of the new runway project. The underpass will allow vehicular access either side of the new linking taxiways which will be constructed as part of the NPR project to connect the new runway in the west to the passenger terminals and existing runway system in the east.
We have included sheet piles in our solution which results in reduced excavation, better construction access and stability.
“McConnell Dowell is excited to deliver another airport project and looks forward to working with BAC to deliver this crucial project for the development of Brisbane Airport.” Grant Gibson, Project Manager, McConnell Dowell.
Work is scheduled to commence on site in February 2017 with an estimated construction period of 20 months.
