Auckland Flood Recovery
Our team was on standby for the devastating tropical storm
In early 2023, the Auckland region was subjected to two low-pressure systems, loaded with subtropical moisture which moved slowly over central Auckland. The long band of squeezed thunderstorms and ribbon of strong wind glided just over the city, creating widespread devastation and billions of dollars in damage.
how did we optimise, earlier?
The Andy O team was on standby to assist Auckland Transport (AT) and Auckland Council (AC) during the event, with our expertise called on in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Initially we undertook high level damage assessment so that affected parts of the roading network could be safely re-opened. This was of huge benefit to AT and was commended on by Senior network managers.
The expertise of our team was leveraged across the entire Auckland region, not just in specific areas. This gave AT clearer overall context in which to prioritise remediations. Following initial prioritisation, we were engaged by AT and network maintenance contractors to undertake investigation, interpretation, optioneering and design and build solutions. The work extended over 100 significant landslides affecting the entire roading network. Andy O “optimised, earlier” for:
- NZTA
- Auckland Transport,
- KiwiRail,
- Downer North Rural,
- Geostabilisation New Zealand,
- Earth Stability,
- Fulton Hogan Northern,
- Downer Auckland Central,
- Downer West Auckland,
- Fulton Hogan West Auckland,
- Ventia West Auckland
- and Liveable Streets South Rural.
Close collaboration was a key to the success of many of the remediation solutions. We worked closely with network operators, network maintenance contractors and specialist remediation contractors. This enabled us to achieve early design optimisation. Andy O demonstrated delivery of real value through the use of our in-house state-of-the-art digital engineering capabilities from high resolution, RTK base-station controlled drone surveys, through to full terrain modelling. This enabled efficient flood modelling and 3D civil design to be incorporated into our design solutions.
One aspect of this was ongoing work for Liveable Streets which was commissioned by Auckland Transport to maintain the roading network for much of South Auckland. Part of this commission requires proactively managing slips and landslides which affect the network. These are either slow moving due to unfavourable geology and road geometry or may be mobilised following significant rainfall events such as in early 2023.
To be better prepared, Liveable Streets approached Andy O for geological / geotechnical interpretation of the mechanisms underlying slope issues in South Auckland. Guidance was sought on potential risks and solutions that would offer AT economic benefits.
