Eastland Port have signed a contract with McConnell Dowell to rebuild Wharf 7 into a vital and resilient lifeline asset that will support Tairāwhiti’s growing exports.
Eastland Port Infrastructure Manager Marty Bayley said, “McConnell Dowell were awarded the contract because they are specialists in construction projects that are challenging and require creative thinking and engineering.”
McConnell Dowell have more than six decades of experience delivering award winning marine projects across New Zealand, Australia, and Asia, and recently completed an upgrade in Auckland’s Viaduct Basin as part of the Wynyard Edge Alliance in preparation for the America’s Cup.
McConnell Dowell Managing Director NZ & Pacific Fraser Wyllie said, “Our team have recently completed the successful Wynyard Edge Alliance in Auckland and were able to leverage the learnings for Eastland Port Wharf 7 rebuild”.
After following significant value engineering process, the design of wharf 7 was refined so only 50 percent of piles were needed and they will now be installed using a drill and drive method significantly reducing noise and vibration.
McConnell Dowell are committed to the Road to Zero Carbon and evaluating ways to reduce the amount of concrete or steel used in a new build, and identifying efficiencies are an important part of their design method.
McConnell Dowell will have two projects underway in the region once the construction of Wharf 7 begins, as they are also upgrading the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Gisborne.
“We are excited to be back in the region and playing a part in Tairāwhiti’s amazing growth story.
Ports are a hub for economic activity, and we feel privileged to be part of a project that will increase capacity and bring long term positive outcomes for the community.”
McConnell Dowell have a long and varied history of delivering projects in the region. The company built the 153km Kawerau to Gisborne gas pipeline through 200km of rugged hill terrain. Other projects include the rebuild of the old Wairoa River Bridge, after the central span was washed away by Cyclone Bola in the 80s, and previous work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The upgrade of Wharf 7 was granted resource consent in December 2020. The project will take around 18 months to complete at an estimated cost of $60 million.
The McConnell Dowell team have started mobilising on site with construction commencing later in the month.
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