Park Estate Bridge

Park Estate Bridge Demolition Project

Project Overview

On the night of Saturday, May 21, 2022, the Park Estate Bridge was successfully demolished during a planned 14-hour closure of State Highway 1 (SH1) between Papakura and Drury. This pivotal operation was part of Waka Kotahi’s Papakura to Drury project, paving the way for the construction of the new northern half of the replacement bridge. The demolition was executed with exceptional precision, following extensive planning and preparation, and the motorway reopened around 7am on Sunday, nearly two hours ahead of schedule.

Project Execution

Nikau undertook this groundbreaking demolition project using advanced equipment and techniques:

• Excavators: Five late-model 50-tonne excavators, each equipped with heavy-duty rockbreakers and crusher attachments, were deployed.
• Heavy Duty Trucks: Equipped with demolition bins for efficient material handling and transportation.
• Personnel: A skilled team of 15 Nikau staff members managed and executed the demolition.

This meticulous approach eliminated the need for 20 nights of concrete sawing, demonstrating an innovative method of motorway demolition that had not been previously undertaken in New Zealand.

Contractor Responsibilities

Nikau was responsible for several critical tasks to ensure the success of the project:

1. Mobilisation: Deployment of five 50-tonne excavators equipped with demolition attachments to the site.
2. Motorway Protection: Application of crushed aggregate to safeguard the motorway during the demolition.
3. Demolition: Execution of the bridge demolition within the strict 14-hour timeframe.
4. Transportation and Recycling: Removal and transport of all concrete debris to Nikau’s recycling plant at Meremere for crushing and recycling.
5. Demobilization: Efficient site demobilisation and restoration of the motorway to normal operational status.

Innovative Approach

The Park Estate Bridge demolition project set a new standard for motorway deconstruction in New Zealand, employing an extended overnight operation to achieve rapid and efficient results. The project showcased Nikau’s capability to handle complex and large-scale demolition tasks with precision and effectiveness.

For more information about the Park Estate Bridge Demolition Project, please contact us