Watercare begins Stage 2 of critical watermain repairs beneath Auckland Harbour Bridge

Today Watercare begins Stage 2 of critical watermain repairs beneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

This work is part of Watercare’s 10-year proactive renewal programme, which averages $350 million in investment per year to upgrade and renew ageing infrastructure across Auckland.

Stage 2 of the Auckland Harbour Bridge repairs will see crews replace several roller supports that protect the lifespan of the two 1.2-kilometre pipelines that run under the landmark bridge.

Watercare project manager Kashif Baloch says: “These watermains supply about two thirds of the North Shore’s drinking water, so this is a crucial project.

“The roller supports play a vital role in protecting the lifespan of both pipelines.

“They allow the pipelines to contract and expand more easily during changing temperatures between the summer and winter months.

“This flexibility helps prevent stress and damage to the infrastructure over time.”

Baloch says to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the North Shore, the work is being carried out in two carefully planned phases.

“During each phase, we’ll need to shut down one pipeline to lift it by around 25mm and install the new supports underneath, while keeping the other pipeline in service.”

The work will be carried out without disruption to customers’ water supply.

“Before each shutdown, we’ll ensure there’s enough water in the network to maintain supply,” Baloch says.

“We have topped up the reservoirs around the North Shore ahead of the planned 72-hour shutdown of North Shore Pipeline 1.

“The work will be carried out without disruption to commuters, and residents living nearby shouldn’t experience any noise disruptions as much of it will be masked by existing traffic noise on the bridge.

“We’ll be working underneath the bridge walkway during the day, so any activities like sandblasting won't cause noticeable disruption to nearby residents."

The repairs on both North Shore pipelines follow on from Stage 1, completed in May this year, when Watercare and construction partner Pipeline & Civil replaced the pipe bend for North Shore Pipeline 2 at the southern end of the bridge.

Stage 2 of the Auckland Harbour Bridge repairs will take place in two phases:

• Phase 1: Tuesday, November 18 to Friday, November 21.

• Phase 2: Tuesday, December 2 to Thursday, December 4.