Kaiapoi East Regeneration Area - Roading Upgrades

The Waimakariri District Council asked WSP to provide design and construction surveillance to fix the damaged roads caused by the Canterbury earthquakes.

Location

Canterbury, New Zealand

Client

Waimakariri District Council

Project Value

$3.1m

Project Status

Complete:2019-2021

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes caused severe damage to parts of Kaiapoi. As a result, the Crown bought homes in the worst affected areas, which were designated Residential Red Zones.The roads and services within the red zone were also badly damaged during the earthquakes. The Waimakariri District Council (WDC) adopted a staged approach to the rationalisation and rehabilitation of these roads. The Kaiapoi East Regeneration Area (KERA) Roading Upgrades project represented the final stage of these upgrades.

In June 2019, WSP were engaged by WDC to provide design and construction surveillance services for the roading upgrade project, including the KERA retained road upgrades and the Cass Street carpark.

CLIENT BRIEF/PROJECT CHALLENGES

Kaiapoi is in a low-lying wet area and is subject to high groundwater issues.

The area also has poor ground conditions which have an adverse effect on pavement and geometric design. WSP provided a geometric and pavement design that minimised the disturbance of the existing road pavement.

Cement modification was adopted in areas with thin pavements, and WSP used overlays to extend the life of the pavement in the remaining areas. In the western end of Charles St, we used a raft foundation with geotextiles to address the poor subgrade. The geometry and cross-section of the road was varied along the length to suit local circumstances. The road itself is now an element which varies in character along its length.

WSP used the road’s character and surroundings to help signal appropriate speed limits to drivers. This was combined with well-designed stopping and parking areas that seamlessly integrate with the surrounding landscape character. The Cass St carpark was designed to create a ‘soft’ environment that reflects the characteristics of the area. This was achieved through effective landscape planting and pedestrian access. Small-scale existing features, such as individual trees or shrubs which contribute to landscape character and local distinctiveness were retained.

OUTCOME/CLIENT BENEFITS

The project is a great asset to the community. The road upgrade is integrated into the surrounding environment with features than reflect the character of the area. It has created links and parking for the new sports field, softball diamonds, BMX track, dog park and boating recreation areas.