GEOmasta provides fast, quality products to Auckland’s massive Northern Corridor project

Project Overview

Jaybro was chosen as the preferred supplier for geosynthetic products on Auckland’s $700 million Northern Corridor Improvement Project. This extensive project aims to provide better transport links for the North Shore and an alternative to travelling through the centre of the city.

Jaybro supplied a large volume of non-woven geotextile and composite geogrid at short notice with a total value of over $140,000. 

The Challenges

The Northern Corridor Improvement (NCI) project is being implemented by an alliance comprising the NZ Transport Agency, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Opus and Jacobs. The project began in early 2018 with ground clearing and access tracks being constructed.

Once the top layer of ground had been scraped back, workers discovered soft soil unsuitable for pavement. Due to the soft nature of these soils, the NCI Project Alliance needed a range of geosynthetic fabrics and grids in order to make the area trafficable.

Jaybro’s Solution

Jaybro was identified as a supply partner who could offer a high quality range and same-day delivery to the North. Additionally, the GEOmasta team assisted the project engineers, recommending a mix of products to provide the most efficient and cost effective solution.

Jaybro was able to provide geotextiles, geogrids and drainage materials to multiple sites throughout the project at very short notice. The GEOmasta range supplied included mastaTEX Non-Woven geotextile and mastaGRID Composite geogrid.

mastaTEX Non-Woven is a continuous filament geotextile made from highly durable virgin polyester fibres. These fibres are resistant to all naturally occurring soil acids and alkalis. The non-woven geofabric is formed through needle punching in order to produce a product suitable for use in road and rail work, separation, drainage, protection and filtration works.

mastaGRID Composite was also supplied in a 40/40 configuration. This is an engineered geogrid designed for soil stabilisation, separation and reinforcement applications. mastaGRID Composite is manufactured from extruded and stretched polypropylene. It is then heat bonded to the grid to form a sound composite structure. Designed to prevent cracking, water damage and improve load capacity, mastaGRID Composite helps extend the life of pavements.

The supply of geosynthetic products continued over 3 months with a cumulative supply value of approximately $147,000.

The Project In Detail

The NZ Transport Agency’s Alliance includes Fulton Hogan, HEB, Opus and Jacobs, all of whom are engaged in the project to provide better transport links for the North Shore. Comprised of several small projects, the project scope includes:

• Additional traffic lanes on State Highway 1 (SH1) and extension of the northern bus lanes
• A new northbound motorway connection linking State Highway 18 (Upper Harbour Highway) and SH1
• Motorway resurfacing
• Seven kilometres of new walking and cycling paths
• Construction of Tirohanga Whānui walking and cycling bridge
• A new North Harbour BMX facility and hockey stadium
• An upgrade to Wainoni Park Pony Club

The project will provide safer walking and cycling routes to busway stations and improved journey time for the wider area.

The overall Northern Corridor project is due to be completed by 2022.