The COVID19 situation in New Zealand continues to evolve and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is committed to supporting safety during this time.
At Alert Level 3 and lower, Waka Kotahi will reinstate and resume many physical state highway maintenance activities and capital works projects. All maintenance and construction activities adhere to strict updated health and safety protocols.
Each project is required to have a specific COVID19 Plan to work safely at Alert Level 3 and lower, which aligns with strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ).
The Plan for each project must be accepted by Waka Kotahi before the project can resume. Individual Plans will be closely monitored to ensure each contractor is complying with strict requirements to look after the health and safety of workers and the travelling public.
Specific guidelines have been developed by the Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) group for the safe return to the job for construction workers.
These standards and guidelines include measures for pre-planning work, documenting the health and safety of staff, ensuring safe physical distancing is maintained, cleaning of all plant, tools and vehicles, and being able to quickly and accurately trace people should they come in contact with someone who contracts COVID19.
New Zealand COVID-19 Construction Protocols(external link)
The transition back to work will be different for every project and the timing will depend on the complexity of each project and acceptance of their COVID19 Plan. Some onsite activity can get underway straight away at Alert Level 3 and lower, however it may take some time for sites and projects to be fully operational.
At Alert Level 3 and lower, we will be performing more of our business as usual physical state highway maintenance activities, while adhering to strict health and safety protocols for the protection of workers and the travelling public.
When driving through worksites, be patient and respectful and look out for road workers who are stepping outside of their bubbles to do vital work to keep us safe.
Yes, planning and procurement work will continue remotely at all alert levels to ensure a continued pipeline of activity in preparation for returning to normal working practices.
Infrastructure plays a critical role in the economic recovery of New Zealand so it’s important that this work continues.
In accordance with the Government guidance, most construction (capital works) and non-critical maintenance work in the transport industry must be stood down at Alert Level 4.
However, construction and maintenance activities are permitted if they address immediate risks to safety, property or the environment, and/or for nationally important infrastructure. Nationally important infrastructure means infrastructure that enables or supports supply chains that are needed to either provide for the current needs of people and communities, or to enable or support the recovery of the whole or any part of New Zealand from the effects of COVID-19.
Therefore, certain construction and maintenance activities may be permitted to continue at Alert Level 4, and each case will be assessed to ensure contractors are adhering to strict health and safety requirements to look after staff and the travelling public.
We are working to update each individual project page with information as the Covid19 situation evolves. Please bear with us as these updates are rolled out. Search for the individual project name using the ‘Search’ tab at the top of the page.
