Power upgrade underway in Dannemora
31 October 2011
Cables being put under Mulroy Place
Transpower has installed the first section of underground cable in Dannemora as part of its grid upgrade project to reinforce the power supply into the upper North Island.
Project Director Paul Duffy said the underground cable work in Dannemora is the final leg of the North Island Grid Upgrade (NIGUP) project which will be completed later next year when the cables connect to the upgraded Pakuranga substation.
“A lot of the trenching and cable installation is in narrow residential streets which can present a number of challenges with the type of equipment we need to use.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation we have received from people living and working in the areas.”
Mr Duffy said work has been staggered along the route with ducts being installed across busy roads and enabling works completed prior to trenching starting where possible outside of peak traffic times.
The next major road crossing got underway Sunday 30 October across Ti Rakau Drive and which will take around four weeks to complete.
“As this is a major road excavation, work will take place during the evening hours of 7pm to 5am Sunday to Thursday to minimise traffic impacts.”
One lane of traffic flow will be maintained in each direction, closing only one side of the road at a time during construction.
Mr Duffy said the NIGUP project was critical to meet the growing energy demands in the upper North Island and will mean a more secure and reliable power supply to the greater Auckland region.
The project involves the construction of a 186km transmission line from just north of Taupo to a new substation being built in Brownhill Road, Whitford. From this new substation four underground cable circuits will be located - two circuits to Transpower’s Pakuranga substation, which is being upgraded, and at a later date, two circuits to Otahuhu substation.
For more information on the project,visit the Grid New Zealand website, call 0800 33 33 68 or find us on Facebook.
Please contact:
Philippa White
Stakeholder Communications
021 2418740