Bridge design challenges on the Waikato Expressway Huntly section, New Zealand

The Huntly Section is a new NZ$415M section of the Waikato Expressway running between Hamilton and Auckland. It will connect the recently completed Ngaruawahia and Ohinewai sections on a route that traverses the Taupiri Ranges within a deep cutting before crossing the ‘Red Rivers’ tributaries of the Waikato River. The project is one of the largest design-and-construct contracts let in New Zealand, and was won by a Fulton Hogan / HEB joint venture in April 2015. A design joint venture between Opus International Consultants and Jacobs, supported by sub-consultants Gaia and Bartley Consultants, is providing design and construction observation services. Construction commenced in October 2015 and is expected to finish in 2019.