Hope Street Water Main Renewal
Tasman District Council needed to replace a water main beneath State Highway 6 (SH6) Main Road Hope, Nelson. The council issued the project for tender, as their procurement engagement with consultants was nearing the end of its term. Eliot Sinclair won the contract based on our strong performance on previous water main replacement projects with the council, particularly our ability to deliver on time and meet key project goals.
Client
Tasman District CouncilServices
- Water Engineering
- Civil Engineering
The challenge
This high-profile project came with several challenges. The site’s location within SH6 meant traffic management was critical to avoid any disruptions or incidents. The area has a high water table, creating a risk of encountering groundwater during excavation. A resource consent was necessary due to the likelihood of groundwater exposure. Another potential issue was the presence of asbestos cement surrounding the existing watermain and coal tar, an old bitumen product that might be uncovered during the trench work on the road.
During the project the scope was expanded to include rider mains, which service properties on the opposite side of the road. Managing all these factors required careful planning, strong communication, and close collaboration with the Council and their construction project consultant.
The solution
Eliot Sinclair prepared the engineering plans and consent documentation required for Council Engineering approval, addressing the layout of the new watermain, tender documents, and schedule of prices. Through consultation with Council and their construction project consultant we streamlined design decisions to deliver a successful project.
This included extra design work to accommodate rider mains replacement which was delivered to the original time frames. This involved conducting site visits with the Council’s project manager and lead consultant to determine the best alignment for the new water main, which had to navigate around existing services. By engaging early and ensuring all parties agreed on the alignment, we avoided rework and saved time on the project.
The water main crossed two creeks, presenting another challenge. We explored various options for crossing the waterways, including directional drilling to avoid the existing waterway and attaching the water main to a bridge or culvert. We worked closely with the council to select the best approach.
Our strong relationship with Tasman District Council, combined with our understanding of their processes and risk management strategies, allowed us to anticipate potential challenges and resolve them early in the project. By thinking smarter and drawing on learnings from past successful projects, we delivered a cost-effective and efficient solution. This proactive approach minimised delays, saved rework costs, and ensured the project met the council’s needs and timelines.
