Social impacts and business disruption

Artist Paul Walsh, putting the final touches on the Karangahape Station's Canada Street hoardings

CRL Ltd and its construction partners are committed to helping neighbours maintain 'business-as-usual' as much as possible by reducing construction impacts such as disruption to traffic and access, and maintaining customer access and amenity around sites as much as practicable.

Construction methodology that is as least impactful as possible is chosen and conditions are monitored for compliance. The team also work to investigate and take action on complaints and choose times for works that are least disruptive to surrounding communities. Neighbours and stakeholders are communicated with in a timely manner and regular meetings and information sessions are held.

Wayfinding, business promotion signage and activations are also developed to encourage people to come to the area and keep them safe as they move around.

With the Link Alliance's increased activities on its construction sites, a huge number of hoardings were erected this year. These include Perspex glass wherever possible, to allow views of construction, and colourful attractive designs. To help celebrate Artweek Auckland, the Link Alliance collaborated with local artists to create beautiful, bespoke hoardings and delivered a number of walking art tours.

Monthly site tours and weekly infohubs have been hugely popular, however the Boring Day Out was by far, the biggest CRL event of the year. Over 5,000 people booked tickets to look at the project's mechanical star - the Dame Whina Cooper TBM - and view the Mt Eden construction site first-hand. Little Albert - a mobile coffee cart - had been located in an area required for Aotea Station construction. The Link Alliance found a new home for Little Albert a block away, and even helped the owner move in.