Source: Whangarei District Council
Updated: 5/03/2020 8:25 a.m.
Whangārei is going to get its own “chunnel” (channel tunnel) this year, although it is quite unlike the one between England and France.
The channel it will cross is where the Hatea River and Waiarohia Stream meet at Hihiaua, and the tunnel will be for a sewer pipe 10 metres under the riverbed, crossing from Pohe Island to Port Road.
Contractors CDS NZ Limited will bring specialist equipment to the site on Monday, 9 March 2020 and begin drilling the tunnel/tube. Once drilling is complete, a new 280mm polyethylene wastewater pipe will be pulled through from Pohe Island to Port Rd and connected to the existing sewer line at both ends.
The work area will be fenced off to ensure that Hatea Loop users can continue their activities and the river will be able to be used as normal throughout the work.
Once connected, the work sites will be cleared and returned to their original condition. The pipeline will be monitored and tested before it becomes operational.
