Address: Cathie Road, Port Macquarie
Start Date: February 2022
Finish Date: TBC
Key Components: Construction of three large valve pits to accommodate a three-way trunk watermain diversion. Works include deep excavation, installation of flanged pipework suspended through the excavation and pits, form, reinforce and pour of three large reinforced concrete pits, including forming and pouring around the pre-installed pipework.
The Ocean Drive Valve pit is an early works package for one of Port Macquarie’s largest upcoming roadworks upgrades. EIRE are re-aligning and upsizing an existing major DN450 trunk water main that currently supplies the towns to the south of Port Macquarie.
Due to the depth of the pit, careful monitoring and implementation of the excavation dewatering was necessary to maintain a safe worksite, free of deep water hazards and unstable excavations. Additionally, filtration of the dewatering process was necessary to ensure only clean water left the site during significant rainfall events.
The valves and pits constructed during this early works package enable a smoother cross-connection once the major project is complete and the new water main is ready to be commissioned.
"During planning for commencement of construction, Eire Constructions identified a discrepancy between the Client-supplied pipe & fittings and the project drawings. The project team was able to work through the information and propose a solution to the Client that involved minimal design changes. In doing so, most of the pre-order pipeworks were able to be utilised with only several additional items needing to be procured."
Early community engagement made sure close residents were kept informed of any potential disruptions, with minimal community impact.
The overall aim for these valve pits is to secure the future potable water supply to Port Macquarie and surrounds.
