McConnell Dowell wins Wharf 7 rebuild contract

Eastland Port has signed a contract with McConnell Dowell to rebuild Wharf 7 into a vital and resilient lifeline asset that will support Tairāwhiti’s growing exports.

After following significant value engineering process, the design of wharf 7 was refined so only 50 percent of piles were needed and they will now be installed using a drill and drive method significantly reducing noise and vibration.

Commenting the latest news, Eastland Port Infrastructure Manager, Marty Bayley, said: “McConnell Dowell were awarded the contract because they are specialists in construction projects that are challenging and require creative thinking and engineering.”

McConnell Dowell Managing Director NZ & Pacific, Fraser Wyllie, added that “Our team have recently completed the successful Wynyard Edge Alliance in Auckland and were able to leverage the learnings for Eastland Port Wharf 7 rebuild.”

The upgrade of Wharf 7 was granted resource consent in December 2020. The project will take around 18 months to complete at an estimated cost of $60 million.

The McConnell Dowell team has already started mobilising on site with construction commencing later in the month.