The award-winning Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme (DIDP) transformed downtown Auckland with exciting spaces that seamlessly link public transport facilities, the city and its waterfront area. Downer worked as one of three contractors in a Construction JV for the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and construction phases.

DIDP involved a significant marine scope, with major marine structures constructed in a congested, operational ferry environment and adjacent to sites of cultural and heritage value. The project included a new ferry terminal comprising six new ferry pontoons, three gangways, and three canopies on Queens Wharf, a new seawall, and a breakwater along the length of Queens Wharf.

The upgrade of the ferry basin and construction of Te Wānanga (a new public space at Auckland’s waterfront) required the construction of reinforced concrete piles to form the breakwater, the installation of reinforced concrete piles for the pontoons and gangways and the strengthening of the existing seawall using rock armouring. For the ferry terminal upgrade, large gangways, pontoons, and canopies were prefabricated, transported to the site via the sea, and lifted into place utilising cranes and barges. This work occurred while the ferry terminal remained in operation.

During the initial ECI phase, our team worked with the designers to optimise affordability and make programme refinements, including optimising staging and sequencing. This resulted in significant enhancements to the seawall, ferry terminal, and other elements, resulting in $20 million savings and a six-month reduction in programme.