Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme

Upscaled downtown

PROJECT: Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme CONTRACTOR: Downtown Joint Venture, Downer NZ, Soletanche Bachy, HEB Construction CLIENT: Auckland Council Group VALUE: $255m

Delivered under a single contractual interface, the Downtown Programme encompassed six high-profile, strategic projects for Auckland Council Group.

In mid-2018, the Downtown Joint Venture was challenged with realising Council’s vision of “a generous and welcoming destination along the water’s edge that is recognisably Tamaki Makaurau” in time for the America’s Cup event in 2021. In less than three years, the JV helped transform Auckland’s waterfront and lower downtown area into a welcoming water’s edge precinct with attractive public spaces that link public transport facilities and city streets.

By securing the waterfront with a strengthened seawall, the Downtown Programme protects the city for the next 100 years from rising sea levels and seismic events. It has revitalised Quay Street to encourage walking and cycling and created a vibrant shared space on Galway Street. A new bus interchange on Albert Street is making it easier to transfer between buses, 99 5CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2022 CCNZ / HIREPOOL trains, and ferries. And the remarkable Te Wananga, which seems to float above the harbour, forms a living connection between the land and the sea. The marine entrance to all this is Te Ngau o Horotiu – with six new ferry berths stretching along Queens Wharf in a saw tooth arrangement.