Article written by: Nigel Holman – Service Leader Road Engineering

Vitruvius is proud to be supporting the delivery of the Putauaki Kawerau Container Terminal (PKCT). This is a landmark infrastructure project that will establish a new rail freight hub for the Eastern Bay of Plenty and unlock long‑term economic benefits for the region.

We are currently assisting PKCT by overseeing construction supervision and providing surveying set-out services for a complex and tightly scheduled build. Our role spans end‑to‑end engineering and planning services, including rail design, stormwater assessment, traffic impact assessment, civil and roading design, integrated stormwater management, and working closely with Engeo to undertake the specialist geotechnical investigations and design.

Supported by the Provincial Growth Fund, this initiative represents over five years of planning and serves as a pivotal driver for enhancing regional supply chains and supporting local industry within the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Once operational, PKCT is expected to remove up to approximately 18,000 heavy truck movements from surrounding roads each year, reducing congestion, improving safety, and delivering meaningful reductions in CO₂ emissions.

The project is now well into its construction phase. Over the Christmas break, Vitruvius worked closely with the Contractor and the Principal to deliver the important first stage of the programme, setting the project up for a strong start. Taking advantage of the Christmas block of line, we reinstated more than 200 metres of existing track.

As the project progresses toward its planned opening in mid‑2026, our team will continue working alongside the contractor and PKCT to deliver:

• a new 750 metre long loading platform
• approximately 1.2 kilometres of new heavy duty rail track
• more than one hectare of new container storage area
• around 100,000 cubic metres of earthworks and imported fill
• new stormwater storage and road access infrastructure.

The PKCT project reflects Vitruvius’ broader capability to deliver complex infrastructure projects that will make a real difference to the region and local community. We are proud of the progress achieved to date and look forward to continuing our contribution as this important project reaches its next milestones.

Article written by: Albert Ho – Service Leader – Civil and Water Engineering

This project demonstrates how corridor-level planning can align renewal programmes and improve delivery efficiency in complex urban environments.

Vitruvius undertook corridor-scale assessments across Beach Haven, Onewa Road and Browns Bay Road to align Healthy Waters’ stormwater renewal priorities with Auckland Transport’s FY25/26 road rehabilitation programme. The objective was to identify stormwater renewals, operational issues and treatment opportunities that could be delivered concurrently with planned road works, supporting a coordinated “dig once” approach.

These corridors are high-traffic, community-sensitive environments with constrained working space, dense utilities and limited access. Asset condition, operational performance, flooding behaviour and capacity constraints were assessed using an integrated evidence base combining asset inspections, modelling outputs, service requests (RFS), condition data and operational insight.

The technical review was undertaken alongside engagement with Healthy Waters Operations, Planning, Design and Delivery, Asset Management teams and maintenance partners to validate findings, confirm constructability constraints and address data gaps. Technical and operational inputs informed prioritisation of interventions, balancing resilience and risk reduction objectives with budget availability and programme timing considerations, while supporting long-term network performance.

Assessments were completed within a six-week timeframe to align with Auckland Transport’s renewal programme. Coordinated planning enabled integration of stormwater and road works, minimising disruption to residents, businesses and road users, avoiding unnecessary re-excavation, and reducing duplicate traffic management across programmes.

If you are looking to better align renewal programmes, optimise investment or reduce community disruption in complex urban environments, our team would welcome a conversation. Please get in touch via our website: https://vitruvius.co.nz/contact/ 

Figure 1 – Opportunity at Onewa Road to coordinate asset renewal and water quality improvement with road works

Vitruvius was proud to be involved in the Links Avenue project, a high‑profile programme of works for Tauranga City Council (TCC). The project was not without its challenges, and following a number of issues over several years, Vitruvius was engaged to undertake the design and MSQA works for the troubled corridor. 

The corridor along Links Ave is crucial for the local community, particularly with its proximity to several schools and the high volume of pedestrian, cycle, and bus traffic. Recognising this, Vitruvius designed and implemented a shared use area that prioritises safety for cyclists of all ages. This was achieved through the strategic placement of separation islands and hit sticks, ensuring a secure passage for commuters traveling to school and work. 

Throughout design TCC identified the corridor as strategically significant and consequently a dedicated maintenance budget was allocated to comprehensively rehabilitate the pavement with concrete. This enhancement not only strengthens the corridor but also supports the anticipated growth of the bus network and increased bus movements in the future. 

Key achievements of the project include: 

• Innovative Design Solutions: Incorporating advanced design elements to create a safe and accessible environment for all road users. 
• Timely Execution: Managing site activities efficiently, including design adaptations and rapid solutions delivery, to meet stringent construction deadlines. 
• Integrated Approach: Seamlessly integrating pavement rehabilitation and cycleway installation over a 1.3km stretch during a critical two-week school holiday period. 

Tauranga’s main arterial route, Cameron Road, was upgraded and future‑proofed from Harington Street in the city centre to Seventeenth Avenue beside Tauranga Hospital. The project improved safety and streetscape quality while providing more transport choices, enabling people to walk, cycle, scooter, catch a bus or drive with greater confidence. The project was almost entirely Government‑funded through the Crown Infrastructure Partners’ Shovel Ready initiative, supporting local economic recovery following COVID‑19.

Vitruvius provided programme and project management services to Tauranga City Council. With a strong understanding of Council processes, objectives and operating environment, our team brought a proven track record of delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects within tight timeframes.

Throughout the project, Vitruvius delivered robust risk management and quality assurance, applied specialist infrastructure delivery and risk mitigation expertise, and identified and managed key project milestones and deliverables. We also fostered a highly collaborative working environment with contractors and fellow consultants.

Vitruvius was responsible for managing the detailed design and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process, as well as overseeing the public communication and engagement strategy.

Tunnel 21, which is located between Kaikoura and Blenheim on KiwiRail’s Main North Line, had to be upgraded to achieve minimum clearance standards, improve line speed and importantly, increase the overall network resilience of the line following the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) project. 

Vitruvius was brought into the project based on our expertise in spatial survey and design, road design, rail geometric design and digital engineering. We surveyed the track alignment and inside of the tunnel using laser scanning technology to produce a 3D model for the track design. Using KiwiRail rolling stock data, a full spatial assessment of the tunnel was completed based on the types of rail vehicles in use on the main north line. 

Following that survey work, a thorough optioneering exercise was undertaken in partnership with KiwiRail and other specialist consultants, to explore how we would make the tunnel more resilient and improve the line speed with an efficient and effective solution. The preferred solution, which has now been delivered, involved a new offline rail alignment through a 500,000m³ cutting, and a new road over rail crossing structure. The state highway also required an online re-alignment to accommodate the works. 

This project was complex due to a number of factors: the state highway crosses over the railway lines; geometry; safety and cost for scale of earth and structural works; environmental considerations of sensitive wetlands; and private access routes.

We managed the digital model and interface to provide information from the contractor through BIM delivery.

This project was to investigate and construct a new road link from State Highway 2a, de-conflicting traffic priorities on State Highway 29 to the Port of Tauranga.

Vitruvius acted as project manager through the investigation and onto the specimen design phase. This investigation took 2½ years to complete amid strong political and public interest.

Vitruvius also provided project management to oversee the compilation of tender documentation, tender process management and the appointment of a professional services provider to deliver the specimen design.

Article written by: Mitchell Alley – Project Delivery Manager

The Smith Street Development is an ongoing greenfield residential subdivision at the eastern edge of Waihi, transforming 6.1 hectares of former pastoral land into a 68 lot neighbourhood designed to support long term community growth.

Vitruvius has been involved from the outset, providing civil engineering design, surveying, and MSQA services through planning, consenting, and construction. Our team is working closely with Classic Developments Ltd and a multidisciplinary consultant group to resolve site constraints and deliver coordinated, buildable design solutions.

The project presents a range of technical and environmental challenges, including flood hazard management, stream and wetland interfaces, embankment stability, fish passage requirements, contaminated soils, and stormwater discharge effects. Vitruvius has undertaken early infrastructure and flood assessments, prepared Assessments of Environmental Effects, and led the civil design process through District and Regional Council consenting.

Earthworks have been completed over two construction seasons, establishing the final landform and enabling staged delivery of civil infrastructure. Stage 1 works are currently underway and include internal roading and servicing, significant retaining structures, a new neighbourhood reserve, walking tracks along the internal stream, and integrated wetland and stormwater systems that enhance both functionality and amenity.

Through close collaboration and a rigorous design approach, Vitruvius is continuing to unlock value on a complex site, delivering a resilient and well-considered development that balances engineering performance, environmental outcomes, and future liveability.

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Article written by: Mitchell Alley – Project Delivery Manager

The transformation of Links Avenue Reserve represents a major step forward for local sport and recreation, delivering a high-quality football destination designed for all ages and abilities.

Vitruvius played a central role throughout the project, leading all design phases and providing comprehensive MSQA and Engineer’s Representative services from inception through to delivery. Our team worked closely with project partners and stakeholders to ensure the final outcome met rigorous standards for quality, safety, and long-term community value.

The upgrade included a FIFA-grade artificial football pitch, supported by significant improvements to stormwater and wastewater infrastructure. Over 2,000 metres of advanced Megaflo drainage help maintain playing performance year-round, complemented by a soakage system beneath the car park to effectively manage runoff. Improved access, parking, and modern amenities ensure the Reserve functions as a welcoming and practical space for both players and spectators.

Since opening, the Reserve has become a key hub for football and wider community activity, supporting increased participation and providing a safe, well-designed environment for organised sport and informal use alike. The quality of the finished asset reflects a strong collaborative effort and a shared commitment to enhancing Tauranga’s sporting infrastructure.

Today, Links Avenue Reserve stands as a premier sporting asset for the region – one that supports grassroots sport, enables high-quality competition, and delivers lasting benefits for the Bay of Plenty community.

Article written by Selwyn Blackmore – Business Leader and Sector Lead – Transport, and Graeme Corin – Senior Transport Engineer

Vitruvius was engaged by KiwiRail to support the reopening of the Dublin Street/Auckland Street intersection and the adjacent road and rail level crossing in Picton. The intersection and crossing had been closed for over 12 months to accommodate access changes associated with the former IREX project. Following the Government’s decision to discontinue IREX, the reinstatement of this key connection was prioritised and has since been completed.

Vitruvius delivered an end‑to‑end design and delivery support package for KiwiRail to enable the reopening. Our role included leading the detailed road and rail design, civil design inputs, project management, construction supervision, and contract administration to NZS 3910. The project also involved close coordination with Marlborough District Council, Marlborough Roads, and NZTA to ensure the works were delivered efficiently and safely.

The reopening resolved a prolonged disruption to traffic movements and reinstated an important road and rail interface following an extended period of closure.