Announced at the gala conference dinner in Queenstown on Friday, 4 October 2013, the complex deconstruction and reconstruction of Newmarket Viaduct won this year’s premiere Concrete Award.
NGA Newmarket Alliance representative Ted Polley says working on the Newmarket Viaduct Replacement Project was a rewarding and technically challenging experience.
“It is considered one of New Zealand’s premier projects and has been recognised internationally, winning at the World Demolition Awards in Amsterdam in 2012 and a merit at the FIDIC Awards which celebrated the best engineering achievements globally in the last century.”
The judging panel said the NGA Newmarket Alliance, which included structural engineers Beca, URS, Tonkin & Taylor and Boffa Miskell, and contractors Leightons, Fulton Hogan and VSL, can be proud of their achievements.
“The project involved significant and advantageous use of concrete – with a massive overhead launching gantry vital to both operations,” said the judges. “The focus was on replicating what was there with an enhanced structure with minimum disruption. This was achieved in spades – delivering world-firsts on the way.”
Infrastructure Award - Commended: Lower Hatea River crossing in Whangarei. The 265m long road bridge is modelled on the Maori fish hook, and was acknowledged for its innovative design.
Monte Craven Architectural Award: Point Resolution Taurarua footbridge in Auckland. This striking and memorable landmark, as much sculpture as structure, is elegant, clever and unobtrusive.
Landscaping Award: Hurstmere Green in Takapuna. A community park in which concrete has been used in a variety of forms, textures and surface finishes creating a myriad of features.
Residential Award: Firth RibRaft TC3 Flooring System. Developed following the Canterbury earthquakes this cost effective flooring system can be jacked and re-levelled after an
earthquake.
Residential Award - Commended: Coming Home to Concrete. This multi-media campaign raised awareness of the advantages of concrete in residential construction.
Technology Award: Allied Concrete Weather App. This innovative smartphone tool can help manage the risks associated with deciding whether to proceed with a concrete pour.
Technology Award - Commended: ArchEng Student Workshop. This initiative encourages aspiring construction specialists to work together to incorporate the best insights and latest technology into a concrete based design.