Waterview connection audio conference

Today we went to Room 20 for an audio conference with LEARNZ about the Waterview Tunnel which Room 20 can actually see from their classroom.

Six students from Room 20 and six students from Avondale Intermediate were asking an expert questions about the project.
Look at Room 20's blog for a drone film of the project and a recording of  the audio conference.

Project introduction

The Waterview Connection project is one of the most important infrastructure developments ever to take place in New Zealand. Completing a motorway ring route around the city, it will unlock Auckland’s potential to become a truly world class city

Our largest, most ambitious roading project     Costing NZ$1.4b, the Waterview Connection project in Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most ambitious roading project.

It will connect the Southwestern and Northwestern Motorways (State Highways 20 and 16).  The project is described as the ‘missing link’ to complete the Western Ring Route – a motorway alternative easing pressure on SH1 through the centre of the city and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.   

Half of the new motorway – 2.4km – is underground.  The world’s 10th largest tunnel boring machine, named Alice, is constructing twin tunnels up to 40m below ground. Each tunnel will carry three lanes of traffic. 

The project includes construction of a giant interchange near the northern entrance to the tunnels to connect the two motorways. It will also deliver community-based facilities for walkers and cyclists, sports amenities, playgrounds and parks.

The project is being constructed for the NZ Transport Agency by the Well-Connected Alliance – the alliance includes the Transport Agency and New Zealand and overseas companies with expertise in infrastructure, tunnelling and design.

The tunnels and interchange are due to open in early 2017, and will have the biggest impact on the way people travel around and through Auckland since the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959. 

Quick Facts

• Project duration: 66 months
• Length: 4.8km
• Tunnel length: 2.4km
• Tunnel diameter: 13.1m (twin tunnels)
• Maximum depth: 45m
• Tunnelling method: Earth Pressure Balance Machine (EPBM) (10th largest ever TBM)
• Completion: Early 2017
• Project cost: NZ$1.4B