Gully work preparation

The ground was blessed at Lanes Flat near Pauatahanui last month, before the establishment of a site office and compound for the Transmission Gully construction phase.

Up to 120 staff will be accommodated for up to five years at the three-hectare site, which holds particular significance for local iwi.

It is near the site of Ngati Toa leader Te Rangihaeata’s pa, MataiTaua.

The blessing, five months after the Public Private Partnership contract was signed between NZ Transport Agency and Wellington Gateway Partnership, signals that progress is being made towards the first major earthworks season, in the spring/ summer of 2015.

Project director Mick O’Dwyer said establishing the site office and compound would involve bringing in fill to build up the site, which would mean increased traffic in the area.

‘‘ We will be taking steps to minimise the impact on our new neighbours, including having a water cart on site to dampen any dust during these works,’’ he said.

O’Dwyer said signage would also assist residents, staff and visitors to navigate the Paremata-Haywards approach road.

Temporary buildings, called portacoms, would be brought to the three-hectare site to provide office space for about 100 permanent staff, who were expected to begin moving in towards the end of the first quarter of 2015, he said.