Environmental and Social Protection

Transit has made a significant effort to protect the natural, social and physical environment of the area around the SH1 Avalon Drive Bypass project.

The project will directly improve the amenity value of the existing length of Avalon Drive from Rotokauri Road to Norton Road by moving a significant amount of traffic onto the new bypass. This will enable the development of this section of local road into a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly environment.

Noise effects from the bypass onto residential areas will be mitigated by the construction of patterned noise walls and especially selected road-surfacing material.

 

Landscaping

Rotokauri Roundabout Rotokauri Roundabout

Planting of the roundabouts and margins of the bypass road will enhance the visual aspect of the new bypass and improve the appearance of the redundant railway land. Removal of exotic and invasive species within the Waitawhiriwhiri Gully will also improve the natural environment.

The underpasses at the roundabouts will allow the safe and unrestricted passage of pedestrians and cyclists though the intersections, and will encourage the use of these modes of transport. The lowering of the Norton Road intersection together with the construction of the new pedestrian and cycle paths will also improve access to the gully area.

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Construction Effects

Most of the construction during the first 12 months of this project will be undertaken away from the road along a strip of land between the railway line and the rear of the existing commercial and industrial premises.  Hence, impacts for road users during the first phase of construction will be confined to periods when the bypass is being connected to the existing roads. Siltation control measures will be installed prior to works within the Waitawhiriwhiri Gully and operations will be sequenced to prevent affects on the stream and environment. All construction vehicle re-fuelling will be undertaken well away from the gully area.

During the second (and final) phase of the project, the Norton Road intersection will be closed for approximately 6 months during the construction of the new railway bridge and Norton Road roundabout. Traffic access to Lincoln and Rifle Range Roads will also be affected at times by the closure. These works are expected to commence in early 2008. Motorists will be affected during this time while traffic is diverted away from the Norton Road intersection. This may result in some short-term congestion on surrounding roads and minor intersections until the project is completed. Transit will be working very closely with Hamilton City Council to minimise disruption to the city network.

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Noise Walls 2 Noise Walls 2

Noise and Visual Effects

During construction there will be some additional noise from bridge piling and earthmoving equipment. However this will conform to the consent limits and agreed working hours. Noice walls will be constructed to reduce traffic noise that may affect the residential areas in Lugton Street and Tui Ave.

 

Stormwater

For the length of the bypass road north of Forest Lake Road all stormwater will be collected by a piped drainage system and diverted to a large stormwater detention pond, prior to release to the existing drainage system. This pond will also be used during construction as a sediment detention pond to prevent the release of any sediment contaminated runoff.