14 March 2025

Ongrade has made substantial progress on the gravity sewer upgrade, and there is now only 25 metres of pipe remaining to be installed and the final manhole to be put in place.

Progress since the last update:

• The new pressure sewer has been fully tested and successfully passed all inspections.
• Ongrade has completed the connection of the new pressure sewer pipe to the existing system at the Williams Street bridge.
• In addition, work has begun on reinstating the concrete footpath outside the Ruataniwha Civic Centre.
• Ongrade has successfully installed the new stormwater pipe through the stopbank using directional drilling. The new pipe was floated into place up the river and pulled back through the stopbank with precision.

Upcoming works:

• From Monday 17 March, Ongrade will be extending their work to the seating area outside Coffee Culture. The seating will be removed, and the area will be closed off for 3 – 4 weeks to allow for the installation of sheet piles, the final manhole and the reinstatement of the seating.
• Looking ahead, Ongrade will continue gravity sewer work outside Coffee Culture, install the new stormwater manhole under the stopbank, and complete the connection of the pressure sewer to the wet well across from the RSA.
• Renewal of 130m of water main between Raven Quay No. 101 and 121.

Vehicle and pedestrian access:

• Vehicle access has reopened to Raven Quay on the east side of Williams Street bridge (outside the Ruataniwha Civic Centre).
• Vehicle and pedestrian access remain closed to Raven Quay between Williams Street and Black Street.
• The footpath on the east side of Williams Street bridge will be reopened by Sunday 23 March.

The project is progressing smoothly, and the upcoming work will bring the next phase of the upgrade closer to completion.

Read earlier updates about this project below.

The new stormwater pipe being floated into position before being pulled back through the stopbank.

The new pressure sewer pipe being installed outside of the Ruataniwha Civic Centre.

The 3.5m trench which the gravity sewer pipe will be installed

Sheet piling outside Coffee Culture for the final 25m of pipe to be installed

24 February 2025

From Monday 24 February the road closure on Raven Quay will be extended east to Williams Street intersection.  This will allow for sheet piling to continue for the ongoing installation of the gravity sewer main.

This work means that there will no longer be access to the carpark next to Coffee Culture. On-street carparking outside Coffee Culture will also be inaccessible.

14 February 2025

From Monday 17 February, Ongrade will begin phase two of the Raven Quay water and sewer main renewals.

Our contractors will be closing off the footpath on the east side of Williams Street bridge and vehicle entry to Raven Quay lane outside the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre for four weeks.

This is so our contractors can complete the receiving pit for the installation of the pressure sewer, and to also weld up the PE pipe strings ready for installation from 24 February.

Drivers can still access the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre carpark from Hilton Street.

31 January 2025

Sheet piling is underway.

Before Ongrade can start digging a trench, they need to install sheet piles. Sheet piles are 8-metre-long steel columns that are driven into the ground and act like a retaining wall to support the trench.

Although this work is essential, we understand it is producing a lot of noise and vibration. So, we wanted to explain why that is.

There are only two methods for installing sheet piles for this type of deep trenching - either by using a large hammer to repeatedly ram them into the ground, or by vibrating them into the ground. The vibratory method is the mostly widely used and creates the least amount of impact to the environment. This is the technique our contractors are using.

There will also be a continuous low noise from dewatering pumps while the gravity sewer is being installed. This is due to the depth we need to install it at (up to 4 metres) and the shallow groundwater in this area.

Our contractors are on site between 7.30am - 5pm and this portion of the project is due to be completed by late March.

Although road closures are in place, the doors remain open to businesses in the immediate area, including the Kaiapoi Club and Coffee Culture.

The public carpark between Williams Street and Black Street is still open, and this can be accessed via Hilton Street.