2024

SESOC - Auckland Bridge Group Event – Presented by NZ National IABSE group

Event Date: Tuesday, 20 August 2024.

Hybrid Event: Aurecon Offices 3/110 Carlton Gore Road, Auckland. 

The New Zealand National Group, hosted the Auckland Bridge Group's August meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, with approximately 100 people attending in a hybrid format. Both the Chair Oliver De Lautour (photo above) and Vice Chair, Moustafa Al-ani, of the New Zealand National Group were present. The agenda included an introduction to IABSE, followed by two technical presentations and a Q&A session. IABSE member Will Pank presented on the long-term management strategy for the Auckland Harbour Bridge, while Richard Nutton discussed the Papakura to Drury Rail Bridge replacements. Participants had the opportunity to network, with refreshments provided. The meeting was successful and future events will be planned, so keep watching out for this place.

                     Will Pank                                                   Richard Nutton                                           Auckland Harbour Bridge                                           P2D NIMT Bridge replacements

Topic 1: Long-term management strategy for the Auckland Harbour Bridge (AHB)

The AHB turned 65 in May this year. For the past 25 years Beca, as part of the ASM team, has managed the structure on behalf of NZTA, deriving bridge specific assessment live loads and designing major upgrades to the truss bridge and extension bridge box girders over that time. Later this year another significant intervention is planned to enable a major refurbishment programme. Will Pank will discuss how increasing heavy vehicle loading influences how the bridge is maintained and operated now, and in the future.

Speaker: Will Pank, Technical Director of Structural Engineering, BECA. Will is a specialist in long-span steel bridge design with a passion for architectural bridges. Over the last 34 years he has worked internationally on major projects in the United Kingdom, Asia, New Zealand and across the Pacific. Will is the lead structural engineer for the AHB carrying out assessment and design of strengthening and retrofit works for NZTA’s major bridge asset. He is a member of IABSE and a committee member of the New Zealand chapter of the REAAA.

Topic 2: P2D NIMT Bridge replacements

The SH1 Papakura to Drury upgrade is a NZTA Waka Kotahi led project to improve transport capacity and safety whilst allowing for long term growth in the south of Auckland. The presentation discusses the structural design and construction of three bridges, over the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) rail line, and how collaboration between client, stakeholders, designers and constructors can deliver innovation resulting in programme efficiency and risk mitigation whilst working within the rail corridor.

Speaker: Richard Nutton, Technical Director, Aurecon; Richard has 27 years of international experience in the design and construction of bridges and large infrastructure projects in Europe, Fiji, New Zealand and the Middle East. Richard is currently the bridges lead and project manager for the SH1 upgrade project Papakura to Drury. He is also member of the ICE.