The first siphon constructed in Auckland and the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
McConnell Dowell is proud to announce the completion of the Ports of Auckland Outfall Upgrade project for Auckland Council Healthy Waters, delivered on time on November 1, 2024, with a positive safety record and within budget.
From the outset, McConnell Dowell in collaboration with designer GHD, played a key role in the concept design and optioneering phase, which involved:
- Engaging with key stakeholders, including Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, KiwiRail, Port of Auckland Limited (POAL), bus company, local businesses, and residents.
- Analysing multiple design options.
- Researching historical data on the original construction of the port.
- Proposing a final solution that would meet the client's needs.
This final solution selected by the client, a trenchless inverted siphon (U-shaped pipe), developed by McConnell Dowell and GHD which addressed the client’s primary objectives.
This solution enabled the installation of a 3-meter diameter, 270-meter long stormwater pipeline at a maximum depth of 20 meters with a 0.5% slope.
Despite challenges such as working below sea level, tight spaces, adverse weather, and unexpected events, the team fostered strong collaboration from the project’s inception. This collaboration between all parties—Auckland Council Healthy Waters, designers GHD, Port of Auckland Limited, and other stakeholders—enabled the team to overcome these challenges and ensure smooth progress.
For more information about the project, check it out here https://www.mcconnelldowell.com/projects/ports-of-auckland-outfall
“This project is a testament to McConnell Dowell's commitment to innovation, safety, and excellence in infrastructure development, and we are proud to have contributed to enhancing the resilience of the city for future generations,” says Fraser Wyllie, McConnell Dowell Managing Director New Zealand & Pacific.
The Alliance comprising the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, constructors McConnell Dowell and CPB Contractors, and designers Mott MacDonald, Arup and Aurecon, is proud to announce the award of the contract to deliver the Tram Grade Separation Projects.
The Australian and South Australian governments have jointly (50:50) funded $400 million to removing the two level crossings where the Glenelg tram line crosses Marion Road and Cross Road, Plympton.
The Alliance will remove the level crossing at Morphett Road, Morphettville, which was recently confirmed and forms part of the $850m Broader Network Upgrade package of works, as part of the North-South Corridor T2D Project.
The existing tram overpass at South Road, Glandore will also be re-built at the same time by the Alliance, funded as part of the $15.4 billion North-South Corridor T2D Project.
Quotes
Speaking on the award announcement, Alliance General Manager Nigel Schmidt said...
"I am excited to lead our high-performing team in delivering another landmark transport infrastructure project for South Australia. With our extensive experience in successfully executing projects of this nature, I look forward to further strengthening our collaborative relationship with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, and key stakeholders. By leading an energetic and highly experienced team, I am confident in our ability to achieve outstanding results."
McConnell Dowell Australia's Managing Director, Mario Russo said...
"I am proud to be a part the Tram Grade Separation project, a critical initiative that underscores our commitment to advancing South Australia's transport infrastructure. This project is of immense importance to our company, highlighting our ability to deliver complex and impactful solutions. By leveraging our expertise and fostering strong partnerships with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and our Alliance partners, we are poised to deliver another important infrastructure outcome for South Australians."
Project impact
Approximately 50,000 vehicles pass through the Marion Road and Cross Road level crossings each day. During the morning and afternoon peak around 30 trams also pass through, resulting in the boom gates being down for up to 20 minutes each hour. Motorists currently experience congestion and variable travel times, particularly during these busy peak periods.
Approximately 25,600 vehicles pass through the Morphett Road Level Crossing each day.
Removing these level crossings will:
- reduce travel times for motorists, buses, freight and airport traffic
- improve safety for local residents, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and tram drivers
- provide new, safer and more accessible tram stops with improved pedestrian access
- improve connection and sense of community between the suburbs either side of the tram line
- create new community open space for locals to enjoy
As part of the project, the intersections at Marion Road and Cross Road and Marion Road and Anzac Highway will be upgraded to further relieve congestion and improve safety.
Site investigations to inform planning are underway. Major construction will start in late 2024 and the level crossings will be removed by the end of 2025.
McConnell Dowell and Built Environs, our vertical construction company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ara Education Charitable Trust (AECT) in late June.
Members of the Senior Leadership Team from both organisations came together to build relationships and lay the foundation for future collaboration.
AECT is a not-for-profit organisation that provides work experience and career education for students in their final two years at school. The trust also helps students obtain work placements after they have graduated from the Trade Academies Programme.
Currently, the AECT team is working with students from five South Auckland schools. Old state houses are donated to the trust by Kainga Ora, Auckland Council, Auckland Airport and the Eastern Busway Project. Those enrolled in the programme spend a year renovating the donated houses so they can get real-life experience. “It’s about teaching our young men and women about work ethic; coming to work on time and completing the work to a standard where they can be proud of what they have achieved,” says carpentry tutor Mat Watford.
McConnell Dowell’s purpose is to ‘provide a better life’ and partnering with AECT is one way we can support a new generation eager to enter the construction industry.
Social and Broader Outcomes Advisor, Donna Wilson, has identified three areas where we can collaborate; hands-on engagement with their Forever Home Project for meaningful outcomes in the community, providing our skilled employees who can teach students, and recycling materials from our various work sites to support their charitable builds.
Donna is excited about the partnership’s potential and keen to see how it grows and the Forever Homes that we will build together with AECT.
At the start of this year, we kicked off our ‘WINTR’ or Women in Non-Traditional Roles program which is designed to provide aspiring women with invaluable hands-on experience and accredited industry qualifications in roles traditionally held by men.
And what a success! Not only has the program allowed us to reach our goal of 25% women employees in NSW, but it has also diversified our talent pool by introducing women with unique perspectives from industries beyond construction.
Furthermore, over 50% of our first cohort come from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds - significantly enhancing the diversity of our company and creating a richer and more inclusive work environment.
The NSW Government recently published a case study recognising our program. Click on the image below to read more.
Wednesday 5th June is World Environment Day, an event observed for over 50 years to encourage discussion and action to protect our environment. This year’s theme is #GenerationRestoration, focusing on our ability to restore past damages and make peace with the land.
At McConnell Dowell, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously, proactively seeking ways to minimise our impact on the land and embrace a circular economy in the areas where we operate.
To find out more about our achievements and case studies on last year’s theme: ‘Beating Plastic Pollution’, and what we are already doing for #GenerationRestoration, click the picture below.
