The City Rail Link is the largest transport infrastructure project ever to be undertaken in New Zealand.
The CRL is a 3.45km twin-tunnel underground rail link up to 42 metres below the city centre, transforming the downtown Britomart Transport Centre into a two-way through-station that better connects the city’s rail network.
Sika Technology is proud to have been a key supplier of this critical infrastructure for New Zealand’s future.
Engineering Challenge
Chorus and JFC Civils approached Sika to develop a lightweight Roadway Infill Paver Access Cover. The current covers tend to seize shut and require specialised equipment for opening and closing.
JFC, a civil contractor charged with installation works, was keen to introduce an advanced solution. Chorus, a telecommunication infrastructure owner/operator and a long-time user of Sika’s product line, supported Sika in obtaining Engineers and Auckland City Council approvals.
As a utility service provider, Chorus wanted to evolve its asset with specific consideration to OH & S and operational efficiency.
An access cover filled with heavy granite pavers must remain lightweight for manual operational use.
Engineering Solution
At Sika, we pride ourselves on being innovative and responsive to the customer needs and love to solve the technical challenges of our industry.
Sika specialises in lightweight aluminium covers using specialised technology that can carry extremely heavy loads.
- An approved operational weight was achieved using lightweight aluminium and a half cover design.
- The narrow border is also critical to achieving aesthetic approval for the landscape architects in charge.
- Security is with an Allen key driving a quarter-turn latch.
- Sika’s lightweight design makes for efficient and safe logistics requiring no heavy lifting equipment at installation and operational stages.
The End Customer
Auckland City Council and utility companies chose Sika’s Aluminium Infill Paver Cover Sets for upgrading urban space and surrounding roads.
Sika’s product ticks all the boxes is good looking and long-lasting, is a long-term asset, environmentally friendly and carries a compliant guarantee.
Chorus’s historical use of Sika’s product trusted reputation by local authorities and utility service providers made approval an easy decision.