ProjectDowntown Infrastructure Development Programme

Downtown is a strategically important location for Auckland City as a key public transport hub, economic centre, and tourist destination. Population growth, the changing needs of the area, and previous low levels of investment contributed to a waterfront with limited accessibility, which was disconnected from the city. To address these issues, the Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme (DIDP) included six fast tracked interconnected upgrades, which included the delivery of ground-breaking steel marine infrastructure of a scale unprecedented in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

TSA Riley acted as Programme Director, Project Managers and Engineer’s Representatives to the wider DIDP for Auckland Transport (AT) and Auckland Council. The programme of projects to rejuvenate the Auckland waterfront included: 

• Quay Street seawall seismic strengthening and streetscapes – The Quay Street area is the front yard and welcome mat for thousands of people each day. The seawall seismic upgrade involved constructing combinations of a palisade / post and panel wall along the 500m span of the seawall, while maintaining public access to Quay Street and ensuring public transport assets were not degraded. Following the seawall upgrade, Quay Street was de-tuned to enhance pedestrian access, linking Britomart, the ferry terminal and the Viaduct. TSA Riley was appointed as Project Director where we worked with Auckland Council to appoint consultants. We also assisted with consultation and advice to achieve an integrated program for delivery.  
• Te Wānanga (public space) – The public space, was designed to connect whenua (land), Waitematā Harbour, and tāngata (people) seamlessly together. It incorporates marine and terrestrial habitats to enhance ecological and cultural significance, with species introduced such as mussels for improving water quality and education on environmental stewardship. The involvement of mana whenua brings traditional and contemporary knowledge together and enriches the project’s ecological and cultural impact. TSA Riley provided full project management services, and acted as Engineer’s Representative, as well as managing the design team for the entire project from initiation to completion.  
• Galway Street Enhancements – This project involved improved amenity upgrades, planting through the street, enhanced street finishes, through design partnerships with mana whenua and inclusion of engraved paving and patterned lighting. TSA Riley was Project Manager and Engineer’s Representative for initiation through to completion, and managed the relationship with the private investment company who were concurrently delivering Hotel Britomart. 
• Te ngau o Horotiu (ferry terminal) – TSA Riley provided project management of the delivery of six new ferry berths and landside facilities to support them. Stage 1 included optioneering, securing resource consents and overseeing detailed design of the ferry berths, gangways, canopies, and a terminal building upgrade. We identified the optimal solution within the busy ferry basin, which also services increasing numbers of cruise ships and tourist vessels.  
• Transition to Electric Ferries – TSA Riley’s latest role is as Project Director for the Ferry Terminal charging infrastructure. This has included liaison with an Auckland power provider, to facilitate 20MVA of power and enable six ferries to charge simultaneously at nine berths by 2030. This is unlike most EV services across the world as it focuses on rapid charging. 

The Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme included a major upgrade to Quay Street, new Bus Interchange at Lower Albert Street, Te Wānanga public space, Galway Street upgrade, and redevelopment of the ferry terminal (Te ngau o Horotiu).