WSP, Waka Kotahi, and Fulton Hogan won the Supreme Award and Excellence in Environment & Sustainability category for a culvert replacement on State Highway 10 in Northland.
Restoring the natural marine environment was a key part of the project, which saw a 50-year-old culvert south of Mangonui replaced with a bridge designed to increase tidal flows.
For the three hapū of Ngāti Kahu that were involved, the re-establishment of the creek with the construction of the Tokatoka bridge provides reconnection and passage for their whānau to the coast. It has also restored the biodiversity of coastal environments around their lands, mitigated a century of self-inflicted flooding impacts, and restored a disused quarry which is now being used as a native plant nursery.
Technical director for asset management Wayne Hatcher says with the Supreme Award going to the single best entry across all award categories, WSP and project partners are truly humbled to have taken top honours from among a stellar line-up of finalists.
“This win is testament to the breadth and depth of our experience working with transport agencies and project partners, and the heavy emphasis placed on improving environmental outcomes during this project’s planning, design and construction. We’re incredibly honoured to have the project recognised at such a high level, and to have had our kaitiaki join us for the awards, as the benefits of this project to them and their whānau will be long lasting."
Toitoi Digital Twin wins Excellence in Asset Management
Hastings District Council and WSP won the Excellence in Asset Management category for the development of a virtual replica of Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre.
WSP Head of Digital Daniel Jurgens is rapt with the award win, saying Toitoi is one of the best-known examples of a digital twin in New Zealand worked on by WSP digital experts.
“Thanks to the power of the digital twin, complete digital information about the Centre is now available to Council staff at the click of a button – meaning no more cumbersome asset management spreadsheets, and an easier, more efficient way of managing the historic building.”
A spatial fault collection entry from WSP and Auckland Transport was also a finalist in this category.
Malvern Street Sewer wins Excellence in Water Project
A team from WSP, Dunedin City Council, and Isaac Construction won the Excellence in Water Project category for its Malvern Street Sewer Renewal and Protection works.
The original cast iron sewer was laid in the 1940s upstream of a natural weir and downstream of a heritage-listed bridge. Over time, during rainstorms, river flow had eroded the right bank and exposed the sewer.
The project began as a sewer pipe replacement but evolved to include a redesign of the hydraulic flow of a section of the Leith River. The final design allows for native fish passage and retains heritage bridge abutments made from bluestone rocks.
WSP Dunedin Business Manager Kevin Wood is delighted that the project has received IPWEA Awards recognition.
“By stepping back and advising on the project complexity, WSP was able to add value to the client and, ultimately, come up with a solution that considers flora, fauna, and heritage.”
A big congratulations to all our IPWEA winners and a special mention to the WSP Tauroa Road Boardwalk and Shared Path and Asset Management & Systems – Auckland Transport Pathways' projects, which were awarded a commendation on the night.