Auckland Council

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here .

20 July 2023

Welcome to the latest update on construction activity in the midtown area.

The Auckland Council group, including Auckland Transport and Watercare, are working closely with other projects in the midtown area to coordinate work, reduce overall disruption to the area and get projects finished sooner.

We’re all focused on getting as much done as possible in time for the opening of Te Waihorotiu Station.

Find out more about the regeneration of midtown and follow the progress by visiting ProgressAKL.co.nz/midtown. You can read past updates here.

In this update

Te Hā Noa Victoria St – what’s happening this month
High Street partial exit closure from 24 July
Loading zones on Victoria St
Attracting people to midtown

Te Hā Noa Victoria Street – what’s happening this month

As we described in the last newsletter, we are working with Vector to install cables through the new ducts and connect up the new electricity supply, and this work is progressing well. More ducting is being installed and Vector are installing new cables into the ducts. This will mean that at times there will be several excavations in multiple zones open at the same time, so that Vector can pull the cables through and make connections. This work will continue over the next few months.

We know all this work is disruptive for people in the area but we're doing our best to work as efficiently as possible and get as much done as we can each time we need to open the pavement.

We're doing our best to keep construction sites tidy and Queen Street clear during the FIFA Women's World Cup tournament period but work continues along Victoria Street.

What to expect

Zone 1 – Vector will be pulling new electrical cables through the newly installed underground ducts. Stormwater upgrades continue as well as building foundations for new streetlights and tree pits.

Zone 2 – The ducting work in Elliott Street is expected to finish this week and the work near Tank is anticipated to be complete by 28 July.

Zone 3 – Ducting installation is progressing uphill towards High St and is expected to be on the corner of High St and Victoria St by 24 July.

Zone 4 – On 24 July work will begin to install a new fibre chamber near Puffing Kiwi. This is expected to take approximately 2 weeks. Ducting work on the footpath in Lorne St is expected to be complete by 29 July.

Zone 5 – Ducting installation continues on Victoria St between Kitchener St and High St. Next week a pit will be excavated on Kitchener Street near Victoria Street carpark. This will be used to pull new electrical cables through and connect them up. Once Vector have connected the cables, the road will be reinstated. This will take approximately 2 weeks.

At the end of the month work will begin on laying ducting on the footpath near Victoria St carpark and The Brand Warehouse. See below for more information about lane closures at the exit to High Street.

Zone 6 - Next week a pit will be excavated on Kitchener Street so Vector can pull new electrical cables through and connect them up. Kitchener Street will be reduced to one lane near the intersection of Victoria Street while this work is undertaken.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about construction, you can reach our contractor JFC’s Stakeholder Liaison Manager Sally Logan at sally.logan@jfcltd.co.nz or 021 420 79.

High Street - partial closure from 24 July

To install electrical ducting below the intersection with Victoria Street, we'll be closing one lane at a time at the exit from High Street over the next few weeks. To minimise disruption to traffic, we will work on one side of the road at a time. High Street will remain open at all times but please allow more time to exit during peak times.

This work will begin on 24 July and run for approximately three weeks. Feel free to share this poster with your tenants, colleagues and customers.

Maintenance is also planned for the boardwalks and planters along High Street over the next few months - you can read more here.

Loading zones in Victoria Street

With works taking place across much of Victoria Street, we know it's important to maintain access for servicing and deliveries. We will provide loading zones clearly indicated in each block while we're working.

Loading zones for week beginning 24 July 2023:

Attracting people to midtown

Alongside the construction in the midtown area, the Auckland Council whanau are delivering a range of activities to help the area feel vibrant and attractive and encourage people to keep visiting while work is underway.

The latest initiative to attract people to midtown is Taurima on Elliott Street, launched as part of the Matariki Festival and celebrating Elliott Street as an 'eat street' destination.

The annual Elemental Festival line-up also featues an immersive laser display in Aotea Square from 20 July to 13 August.

More initiatives are planned for coming months - keep an eye on Our Auckland for more information.

Image: Taurima in Elliott Street

Support through construction

We know that when you have good information, you will understand what’s happening and can plan accordingly. We commit to regular updates and sharing as much information as possible.

We have a dedicated council representative on-street daily, checking in and sharing updates. They are your key point of contact for all information and any issues. If you have any requirements that are likely to be impacted by these works, please get in touch so we can work with you to mitigate where possible.

To contact us or to arrange a time to meet, email Ben at midtown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz .