The construction of the box culvert from Main Road Stoke to State Highway 6 is almost complete, with an estimated 6 weeks to go.

What's been happening?

The final pre-fabricated box culvert pieces (26 tonnes each) have been placed in the last few weeks. The team are now placing the final ‘L’ shaped panels (13 tonnes each) before backfilling, grouting and finishing occur.

The old culvert was decommissioned at the beginning of February 2024, and the creek was moved into its new alignment.

The majority of this project has been hidden from the public view so it’s been difficult to appreciate the share size, difficulty and constraints that the Downers team have had to negotiate. Throughout the project, the culvert has been operating, with diversion pipes helping to make sure the work site is a dry environment.

The construction has been completed in sections. As the work has progressed towards the sea, a large bulkhead (big metal plate) has helped hold back the tide and direct it into the diversion pipe. This was essential to maintain the dry environment, otherwise the project would have taken significantly longer.

With the completion of Stage 4, it will increase the capacity of the culvert from a 1.8 metre wide (1:5-year capacity) to 7.9 metre wide (1:100 year capacity).

Completion will draw to a close the wider Saxton Creek upgrade project that has been underway since 2015. It runs over 2 km from Ngati Rārua Street (Upper Champion Road) to Stage Highway 6.

Planting of the Saxton Field side will occur in the new planting season (July) to ensure the new plants are given the best chance of establishing.