Newmarket Viaduct Replacement Project, Auckland

Award:  Concrete Award

Project:  Newmarket Viaduct Replacement Project, Auckland

Entrant:  NGA Newmarket Alliance

Owner:  New Zealand Transport Authority

Consulting Engineer:  Beca / URS / Tonkin & Taylor / Boffa Miskell

Contractor:  Leightons / Fulton Hogan / VSL

What the judges said

The successful completion of Auckland's Newmarket Viaduct replacement has seen a complex deconstruction and reconstruction exercise carried out in our largest city, on a critical section of motorway and above a very busy commercial and retail precinct.

There were significant deconstruction challenges to ensure the viaduct being removed could support itself and could be made safe not only for the workers but also for the general public who continued to use this important transport route.

Concrete plays a significant role due to its long term durability and ability to produce a sleek, yet visually strong and functional structure.

The Newmarket Viaduct is an outstanding achievement in the advancement of concrete practice in design and construction because of the sheer scale and complexity of performing the deconstruction and reconstruction at the same time - on the busiest stretch of roading in the country that remained in full operation, without missing a beat.

The complex challenges of constructing a new concrete viaduct while deconstructing the existing post-tensioned viaduct in stages whilst it remained in service was a world first.

The participants in this project can be incredibly proud of their achievements - again showcasing to the world the technical and operational excellence that can be performed in New Zealand.