Huia 1 watermain upgrade

About the project

We are renewing the large-diameter watermain called Huia No.1 which has reached the end of its useful life. The watermain was built in the 1940s after World War II. To extend its life we rehabilitated the watermain in the 1980s but we now need to build a new pipe. Over the next few years, the 15.5km pipe is being built in sections across West and Central Auckland.

The latest

Heaphy Street, Blockhouse Bay

From 2 July, our contractor will start installing a line valve chamber and new section of watermain along Heaphy Street (near the Blockhouse Bay Road roundabout). These works are estimated to take until approximately November. Traffic management will be in place in the form of a one-way detour along Heaphy Street. Access out of Heaphy Street onto the roundabout will be maintained but there will be no access into Heaphy Street from the roundabout.

• Working hours will be from 7am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday

• While the work may generate some noise, please be assured that it will be kept to a minimum and within levels approved by Auckland Council

• Please refer to the map below for the works area and traffic management in place

Work happening in your neighbourhood

Donovan Street

We have now laid the new watermain from the Blockhouse Bay roundabout up to 90 Donovan Street. The project is progressing well, and we will be finished the stage 4 works to the Boundary Road/White Swan Road intersection by approximately mid-2024.

Mid-April

• During this works, traffic will be able to travel along Donovan Street towards the roundabout at the intersection of Donovan Street, Kinross Street, Blockhouse Bay Road, and Heaphy Street.

• Traffic travelling city bound along Donovan Street will need to follow a detour up Blockhouse Bay Road, down Terry Street, down Boundary Road and then turn back onto White Swan Road.

• Whitney Street will be closed for approximately three weeks (weather dependent) as we continue to work our way along Donovan Street.

Duke Street

Mid-April

We'll be finishing the chamber construction works located at 113 Duke Street - the entry to Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta | Big King Reserve. These works are estimated to take approximately five months to complete.

The car park at Duke Street will be open for this first stage of the works and will only be closed towards the end of this section of the project. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project.

How will this affect you?

• Working hours will be from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 2pm on Saturday including some statutory holidays.

• Traffic management will be in place 24/7 during construction for the safety of the public, traffic, and our workers. The road will be closed near open excavations, resident access past the excavation area may be restricted during working hours. The traffic controllers on site will advise when you can get past. Please expect delays. Vehicle access is unavailable for properties near the open excavations. If there is a need for vehicle access to your property to be restricted, you will be notified in advance of the exact timing of the restrictions with a separate notice.

• Some street parking will need to be temporarily removed near the work site to allow traffic management to be set up as part of the approved traffic management plan.

• Construction works will generate some noise and vibration; however, levels will be kept to a minimum and in accordance with Auckland Council and consent requirements.

• Please note that the water supply will not be affected during these works.

White Swan Road

Late August

We will be doing some chamber works outside 205 White Swan Road. These works will take approximately four months to complete. Then, starting 26 December and continuing over the quiet period, we will return and complete the stage 5 works from the Boundary Road/White Swan Road intersection to Lynfield College. These works will take approximately seven weeks to complete.

How will this affect you?

• Working hours will be from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 4pm on Saturday including some statutory holidays.

• Traffic management will be in place 24/7 during construction for the safety of the public, traffic, and our workers. The road will be closed near open excavations, resident access past the excavation area may be restricted during working hours. The traffic controllers on site will advise when you can get past. Please expect delays. Vehicle access is unavailable for properties near the open excavations. If there is a need for vehicle access to your property to be restricted, you will be notified in advance of the exact timing of the restrictions with a separate notice.

• Traffic management such as lane and road closures will be required during the watermain construction for the safety of the public and our workers. Please follow the direction of site personnel and all site signage to keep everyone safe. Please keep an eye out closer to the time for regular updates via our website, email, social media, and letters.

• Some street parking will need to be temporarily removed near the work site to allow traffic management to be set up as part of the approved traffic management plan.

• Construction works will generate some noise and vibration; however, levels will be kept to a minimum and in accordance with Auckland Council and consent requirements.

• Please note that water supply to properties will not be affected during these works. 

Upcoming project areas

Epsom

• St Andrews Road to Gillies Avenue: Dates still to be confirmed.

General traffic management FAQs

Q: Why do we not have tidal flow (changing of traffic flows during the day and night)?

A: Tidal flow is a viable option where there are multiple lanes that can be changed i.e. Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Where there is only one lane through residential streets, tidal flow is not feasible. It is not safe for local residents as traffic flows change during the day and confusion around traffic direction could occur.

Q: Why don’t we use traffic lights or stop-go operations?

A: This is not feasible due to the length of the work sites. Traffic queues would become too long making it less efficient than one way traffic.

Q: How will we notify road users?

A: VMS digital sign boards are the most effective way to communicate with road users. In advance of the works we implemented VMS boards.​