Contracts Let for Second Stage of Pipeline Renewal Work

Dunedin (Wednesday, 17 September 2014) – The second stage of major pipeline renewal work in Andersons Bay will start next month.

This week, the Dunedin City Council has awarded two tenders to Downer NZ Ltd for a combined total price of $2,252,592. One contract relates to pipeline renewals in Andersons Bay and the other to similar work in Musselburgh.

Many of the water, wastewater and stormwater pipes in these suburbs are almost 100 years old and need to be replaced. Most of the pipelines are under roads and footpaths, but some pass through private properties.

DCC Engineering Project Manager Marco Vega says the first stage of significant pipeline renewals in Andersons Bay started in October last year. All of the work on roads and footpaths is complete. The replacement of a few remaining private property sewer pipelines should be completed by the end of this month.

The second stage of pipeline renewals work is expected to begin in mid to late October and should be completed by about the middle of June 2015.

The first contract covers work in Tomahawk Road and Duckworth, Merchiston and Hunt Streets. The second contract centres on Rawhiti, Marama and Rewa Streets and will involve work in the backyards of some properties.

Mr Vega says work on the roads will be done first, but both contracts involve some work on private properties. Those owners/occupiers have been contacted and any affected areas on the properties will be reinstated.

At this stage, work on private properties in the Musselburgh area is scheduled for March next year, followed by Andersons Bay in May 2015.

“The DCC and the contractor will try to minimise disruption on the roads and in properties and is liaising with private property owners and occupiers in terms of access and reinstatement.

“We appreciate this work causes disturbance for local residents, but it is essential in order to maintain the provision of water, wastewater and stormwater services. All being well, once the work is completed, we will not have to return for 80 to100 years!”

The construction work will involve excavation rather than trenchless methods as the pipe bedding also need to be replaced. The DCC is taking the opportunity not only to replace pipes, but in some cases to upgrade to larger pipes to address issues such as blockages, low flow and low pressure in some areas.

While the first stage of pipeline renewal work in Andersons Bay has almost finished, other work is being carried out in the area which does not relate to the DCC and is unable to be co-ordinated with the renewal works, such as installing ultra-fast broadband.

ENDS

© Scoop Media