Safe passage

Design and build is only one part of the equation with many construction projects. Often, the structure also needs to be put into place with the least possible impact on other trades or areas of the site.

Auckland Steel won the contract to build three separate footbridges across the Northern Motorway and Northern Busway, and the stair towers that provide access to them.

For Auckland Steel, this involved detailing the design, manufacturing, spray-finishing and assembling the footbridges, then installing them.

Project manager Des Davis says the installation stage was a critical part of the process, as it had to be done with minimum disturbance to the public. The first spans to be erected, the 114m-long bridge that links the Park-and-Ride system with Auckland University's Akoranga Campus, were transported by truck from Auckland Steel's factory to the site. The motorway had to be closed during the installation. To limit disruption to motorway traffic, the whole exercise was carried out at night.

Auckland Steel has been providing high-quality structural steel for heavy, light and residential construction projects for the past 23 years. It also produces decorative steel items, such as gates, furniture and sculptures.

For more information, contact Auckland Steel, 11B Vogler Drive, off Roscommon Rd, Wiri, Auckland 2104, phone (09) 250 0790, fax (09) 250 0799. Website: www.aucklandsteel.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas