CSP’s Streetlight Columns provide the finishing touches to Eden Park

With Eden Park all but complete and with the ground’s capabilities recently tested during its first major fixture – the Kiwis vs. Kangaroos on 6 November - the finishing touches are being made to the carparks, walkways and adjacent roads surrounding the revamped facility. Final touches have included the upgrade of the street lighting on Sandringham and Walters Roads, with specifically designed columns from CSP.

The upgrade to the surrounding streets will provide the public with better transport choices, improve traffic flow and increase the safety for pedestrians and drivers around the stadium. The improvements will not only benefit the Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) audiences, it will also benefit local residents, businesses and people traveling through the area in the future.

Work on the upgrade of Sandringham Road involved:

• shifting the road to the southeast to enable improvements to Kingsland Station
• installing a new pedestrian crossing near the intersection with Walters Road to provide a direct link between the Kingsland Station underpass and Eden Park
• creating a new public space at the intersection with Walters Road
• creating a new southbound bus lane
• widening Sandringham Road between Onslow Road and Burnley Terrace, and building new footpaths
• putting overhead electric cables underground
• improving and upgrading street lighting

Auckland conceptual artist Billy Apple was engaged to develop a design for the plaza, the realigned corner of Sandringham and Walters Roads, creating more space for pedestrians and drawing inspiration from the cardinal points: north, south, east and west.

Fulton Hogan, the main contractor for the upgrades, awarded Transfield Services the sub-contract for lighting. Paul Ututaonga, Project Manager for Transfield Services explains: “When we were awarded the contract we chose a supplier who could provide design solutions particular to our requirements. Based on our solid track record of collaboration with CSP, we engaged them to fabricate columns with banner arms that could withstand wind once the banners were raised. Their design solution was duly approved by the Engineer to the contract.”

“We supplied 31 columns with banner arms and three columns with odd height double outreach arms on each point, and a ground light,” says Craig Kitchen, Area Sales Manager Auckland-Columns for CSP. “The other innovation which was used was computer controlled dimming which will be managed by Eden Park,” Craig added.

The variable LED streetlights can be brightened during events and dimmed when required. The additional lighting assists the CCTV systems around the Park and it is hoped the increased lighting will help reduce crime, in the area, during RWC 2011.