Next phase of pipeline project to have less impact on locals

Construction continues on the Waiari Water Supply Scheme. Photo / File

Construction continues on the Waiari Water Supply Scheme, a major project for Tauranga City Council that will deliver increased capacity and resilience for the city's drinking water supply.

Tauranga City Council said the latest phase of the project – construction of the pipeline along Number One Rd in Te Puke - would have less impact on traffic in the area and the local community due to the use of directional drilling as opposed to open trench installation.

The contract has been awarded to construction firm Smythe Contractors Ltd.

General Manager Infrastructure for Tauranga City Council Nic Johansson said they were at an exciting stage of the construction.

"We are getting closer to the start of building the water treatment plant and intake.

"This is a foundation project for the Tauranga community and our team is working hard to continue progress while keeping the community informed and connected, as well as managing potential impacts of construction on those living, working and traveling in the area."

Smythe Contractors will start work from October 7 with surveying and location of existing services, also known as potholing, along the roadside berm.

The next step will be to install a fibre optic cable duct from start to finish of the proposed pipeline. This will be used to provide water to the drill rigs during operation.

Drilling will take place in 10 separate sections, between 10 construction sites along Number One Rd and down Landscape Rd.

The project team, alongside Smythe, met with local residents last week to provide more details on what works will look like for residents. The council said they would continue to work with local residents to ensure impacts were kept as low as possible.

Other aspects of the construction are progressing, including the installation of pipeline and valves on Welcome Bay Rd and Te Puke Highway.

The east end of Welcome Bay Rd will open after it is resealed, due to be undertaken on October 13.

The Poplar Lane slip lane will be open from Monday October 7.

Preparation of the water treatment plant site has started with increased truck movements from time to time. Traffic management around construction sites would continue for a while.

Electronic signs and cones help slow traffic down on Te Puke Highway to keep construction staff and the public safe. To facilitate flow on Welcome Bay Rd as much as possible, traffic is managed manually (by people) during the busiest times of day.

A blessing to start the latest works will be led by tangata whenua at the water treatment plant site today.