Introducing the Manukau Harbour Kirkbride Alliance (MHX Kirkbride Alliance)

The NZ Transport Agency has awarded a contract to the MHX Kirkbride Alliance for the delivery of this project in 2015-2017. The Alliance comprises the NZ Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, Beca Infrastructure and Higgins.

Why an alliance?

Alliances are increasingly used to deliver complex and challenging design and construction of major infrastructure worldwide.

Alliance projects involve the owner and non-owner participants collaborating to deliver a project, with all participants sharing the responsibility for project risks and for achieving project objectives. In an alliance all participants win or lose commercially depending on their collective performance against the client’s objectives. This creates an incentive for the participants to focus on what is ‘best for project.’

The MHX Kirkbride Alliance is an integrated and high performing alliance with a proven track record. The Alliance successfully delivered the SH20 Manukau Harbour Crossing in 2010 and the SH20 Walmsley Road upgrade in 2011. As well as bringing together the skills and talent of leading engineering and construction organisations, the MHX Kirkbride Alliance has a well-developed knowledge of the project area.

Who’s who in the MHX Kirkbride Alliance?

The NZ Transport Agency
The Transport Agency is the Crown agency responsible for delivering an affordable land transport system for New Zealand.  As the Owner Participant in the MHX Kirkbride Alliance, it is responsible for funding the SH20A to Airport project and for ensuring the project contributes to an integrated, safe and sustainable transport network.

Fletcher Construction
Fletcher has taken on mega-projects of challenging proportions and in demanding locations for more than 50 years. Its track record as a leading New Zealand infrastructure constructor includes many state highway projects.  In recent years they have included Grafton Gully, Central Motorway Junction, North Shore Busway, Manukau Harbour Crossing, Victoria Park Tunnel in Auckland, and the Tauranga Harbour Link.

Fletcher currently shares responsibility for construction of the Waterview Connection with McConnell Dowell Constructors.  It has particular responsibility for motorway construction, including bridges and the Great North Road Interchange.

For more information go to www.fletcherconstruction.co.nz(external link)

Beca Infrastructure
Beca (NZ) Limited is New Zealand’s largest infrastructure consulting engineering company and one of the largest employee-owned engineering and related consultancy services companies in the Asia Pacific. Beca was established in New Zealand in 1918 with only three employees and now has a substantial Asia Pacific footprint with over 2,500 employees working from 17 offices across the world.

At the SH20A to Airport project, Beca has particular responsibility for all aspects of the planning and design of the project.

For more information go to www.beca.com(external link).

Higgins
Higgins is an experienced partner in the delivery of complex alliance construction projects such as the Manukau Harbour Crossing, Victoria Park Tunnel, Tauranga Harbour Link and the current Mackays to Peka Peka section of the Wellington Northern Corridor. 

Higgins also design and construct airport runway, ports and windfarm infrastructure. Its operations include the manufacture of concrete, aggregates, asphalt and bitumen products to the construction industry.  Every year Higgins delivers comprehensive road maintenance programs across New Zealand and in Fiji. 

On the SH20 to Airport project, Higgins will provide specialist technical and contractor input,  construct the pavement and surfacing and undertake all traffic management.

For more information go to www.higgins.co.nz(external link)

Alliance partners

Alliance partners signing a commitment to working together, September 2014. Left to right: David Fehl, Fletcher Construction; Brent Meekan, Beca Infrastructure; Brett Gliddon, NZTA Highways Manager Auckland and Northland; Bernard Higgins, Higgins Contractors.

 

Alliance partners

Contract signing 18 December 2014. Left to right: Grant Higgins, Higgins Contractors; Brent Meekan, Beca Infrastructure; Daniel Mackereth, Fletcher Construction; Brett Gliddon, NZTA Highway Manager Auckland and Northland.