Makatote Viaduct refurbishment

2013 - 2016
KiwiRail

KiwiRail’s Makatote Viaduct is located at National Park on the North Island Main Trunk Line. Completed in 1908, the 262 metre-long viaduct is registered as a Category 1 Historic Place with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. The viaduct is also in an environmentally sensitive area; it is adjacent to Tongariro National Park, and crosses the Makatote River which is subject to a National Water Conservation Order.

As a result of significant increases in rail vehicle loads over time, KiwiRail identified a need to strengthen the truss spans to meet current requirements and replace maintenance accessways to improve their safety and reliability. Additionally, the viaduct’s protective paint coating had deteriorated to the extent that corrosion was affecting the structural integrity of the viaduct. This project aimed to address the corrosion and historical lead-based paint risks while returning the viaduct to a safe, reliable, and maintainable state.

Our services

  • Project management through detailed design and consenting phases

  • Preparation of contract documentation

  • Engineer to Contract and Engineer’s Representative

  • Contract management

  • Project management of onsite works and all governance reporting during the construction phase

  • Stakeholder liaison and communication coordination

our People

- Photos courtesy of Chris Parker