Work is underway on the $1.3 billion Mill Road transport project in south Auckland with construction planned to start from late 2022.
Teams will be carrying out geotechnical, ecology, topographical and general surveys from this month to help determine the preferred route, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says.
Work was originally planned to start earlier in the year but was disrupted by COVID-19.
It will range from truck-mounted rigs drilling into the ground to excavators collecting soil and subsurface samples and other equipment monitoring underground water.
Ecological investigations will assess the environment for plants and animals. This includes surveying vegetation and streams to establish the presence of native birds, bats and lizards and how their habitat might be protected.
The project will upgrade the existing two-lane sections of Mill Rd to four lanes, with new sections through greenfield areas.
It will support rapid growth in the area, improve safety and provide more transport choices with separate walking and cycling facilities.
The new corridor also aims to build greater resilience into Auckland’s state highway network and help reduce traffic demand on SH1 by providing an alternative route for local trips.
The Government has guaranteed $1.354b for the project as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.
“The surveys will tell us a lot more about the type of rock and soil in the area to the plants and animals that live there,” Waka Kotahi project delivery senior manager Andrew Thackwray says.
“That helps with the decision on the route, but also how we manage and mitigate the impacts of the project.”
Landowners within the project area are being contacted by the project team and advised of the survey work to be undertaken.
Overall, south Auckland is set to receive $2.4b in transport improvements within the next three years.
This includes Mill Rd upgrades along with upgrades to the motorway corridor between Papakura to Drury South, separated walking and cycling paths, Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification and new rail stations for Drury in partnership with Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail.
