AIAL Roading and Car Park

Hawkins Infrastructure began work early in 2008 on a package of works to improve access to Auckland International Airport, New Zealand’s major tourism hub and Auckland’s number one gateway.

The contract, undertaken along the extremely busy Ray Emery Drive, involved re-routing entry and exits to the airport and laying 20km of underground cabling. It also required the creation of a roundabout and 400 new car parking spaces over an innovative foam bitumen base, as well as updating car parking systems and creating a new pedestrian walkway.

Staging the construction of the roundabout, and in particular the traffic management transitions during the project, was always a challenge given the 6,000 cars that use the road every day. Health & Safety issues were also extremely important, with large numbers of overseas visitors using the car parking and walkway areas. In addition, environmental considerations were of significance, with 14 mature Pohutukawa trees relocated around the edge of the car park.

Close dialogue and engagement with both Auckland International Airport and designers, Beca, was essential to bring the project through a number of major design revisions and through to its successful opening in November 2008.