Contractor Being Finalised For Ashburton's Second Bridge
The Government announced in December it would fund the 360-metre bridge, with construction expected to start in mid-2026, pending approvals.
NZTA project director Lonnie Dalzell said there will be an announcement on the appointment of the 'Early Contractor Involvement' in the next few weeks.
The contractor chosen for that role enters into a negotiation for the design and construction contract for the project - but if an agreement isn't reached, NZTA can go back to the market to find another contractor.
Dalzell said NZTA is continuing to work through property acquisition, approvals and procurement, including the process to bring a construction contractor on board before the detailed designs are completed.
'This will allow the contractor to be involved in refining the details of the design, look at improved construction methods, understand the local opportunities and address any potential issues.
'We expect to complete this process later this month and to award a design and construct contract at the end of the year.
'We will have more clarity on project costings once we work through the detailed design process.'
Once the design and construction tender is settled, it will finalise the price of the project, for both the NZTA-funded bridge and the council-funded road to the bridge on the Tinwald side of the river.
A number of consents have been lodged or are in the process of being lodged, and in some cases, NZTA and the council are applying for the same consents.
Where overarching applications are being lodged, they are seeking separate consents for the portions of the project specific to either NZTA or council.
"So, in other words, it is not two consents sought for the same piece of work,' Dalzell said. 'A process is underway for consent applications to the regional council, with those applications due to be lodged later this month.
This relates to NZTA's bridge and embankment construction, and the council's work on the connecting road and associated infrastructure.'
An 'outline plan of works' will also be lodged with council, detailing how aspects of the project will be constructed, he said.
Both parties have been granted archaeological authority for the project, a legal permit that ensures the protection of cultural and heritage sites during construction and how they will manage any potential archaeological finds.
'Last month, we applied for the necessary wildlife permit and have developed a Lizard Management Plan for DOC approval, which includes how we intend to rehome the lizards, including monitoring and pest control.'
A lizard survey found 11 southern grass skinks, considered 'At Risk – Declining' in New Zealand, within the project boundary he said.
'It is expected that there are more, and we are preparing plans for finding and relocating up to 140 of these skinks during construction.'
NZTA has also been working with Environment Canterbury to provide enhanced habitat for bird nesting ahead of the breeding season, particularly for the threatened, black-billed gull (tarāpuka), away from the project area and ahead of construction starting.
Three existing, raised gravel islands in the river around the SH1 bridge have been identified as suitable habitat for nesting birds, and NZTA has started clearing the islands of vegetation and debris downstream of the bridge.
NZTA staff will provide an update on the Ashburton Second Urban Bridge project at the council meeting on August 20.
A public update on the project will take place on September 11 from 3:30-6:30pm at the Event Space at Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton Library and Civic Centre. NZTA will run the information session for the public to come and see the plans and ask questions.
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