Various assessments and investigations will be underway from mid-March until late May, to help support the Hope Bypass project’s design.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi contractors will carry out ground and environmental investigations around SH6/Link Road, Richmond Deviation, the Lower Queen Street and Gladstone Road intersection, and SH6/SH60 (Three Brother’s Corner) intersection. 

Investigations will also be done on parts of the Great Taste Trail, including the Railway Reserve. 

The work involves surveying, assessing ground conditions, and carrying out baseline noise and visual assessments. 

People may notice drones in use, field staff taking samples, performing environmental checks, and operating acoustic recorders and other ecological monitoring equipment.

A drilling rig will also be used, which may generate some noise as contractors drill narrow boreholes to better understand the conditions below the surface.

The work will require shoulder closures on SH6 Richmond Deviation and around the two intersections, and cones and signage on the Great Taste Trail. 

The trail and roads will remain open. Drivers and trail users must take care around work sites and any shoulder closures and follow all temporary traffic management in place. 

This work helps us understand soil, land and environmental conditions along the route so the project can be designed using the most accurate data.

Geotechnical work will occur Monday to Saturday, between 7 am and 7 pm.

More Information:

• Hope Bypass(external link)
• Contact the project team:
  hopebypass@nzta.govt.nz