Appendix B: Wind Farm Access Point, Over-dimension and Over-weight Transportation Route Summary Genesis Power Limited, Castle Hill Wind Farm: Transportation Effects Assessment Report Transportation Effects Assessment.docx 1. Wind Farm Access Points, Over-dimension and Over-weight Transportation Route Summary A route assessment has been undertaken for the Site access route from the Port of Napier to Pahiatua on SH2 and then along local public roads through to the Wind Farm Access Points. 1.1 Route Assessment Parameters The parameters that have been adopted as a basis for governing the route assessment are as follows: Pavement design; Bridge design; Bridge dimension; Road geometry; Road gradient; Current condition; Serviceability; and Property boundaries. The strength of route components is assessed through pavement design, bridge design, current condition and serviceability. These parameters have influenced the ability to transport heavy loads, such as, the turbine nacelle and tower sections as well as the CHWF transformers. The New Zealand Transport Agency and District Councils concerned have identified structures on the proposed route. Where the parameters have indicated issues additional strengthening may be required and possible solutions have been developed. Dimensional constraints of the proposed route have been assessed by considering bridge dimension, road gradient, road geometry, current condition and property boundaries. Transportation of long Over-dimension loads, such as the turbine blades and tower sections, has required considerable space on route to allow passage. Tight bends, steep gradients, crests, underpasses, and constricting road widths may prevent passage of long and wide loads, such as those needed for the CHWF components, and road reconfiguration work may be required to remedy. Dimensions of bridges and culverts on proposed routes within the Tararua and Masterton District are outlined in Appendix H. The scope of potential work required on the Local Road bridge structures is summarised on Figure 28 (Appendix A). 1.2 Assessment Methodology Assessment of the proposed route from the Port of Napier to the CHWF has been a complex process. Understanding the loads being carried was the first consideration. Followed by considering what sort of transportation was needed and how manoeuvrable it was. A selected route was then driven from the Port of Napier to Castle Hill to assess a first-hand perspective of possible routes to Site. The preferred Over-dimension route from the Port of Napier to CHWF is from Napier to Hamua along SH2. Then from Hamua to Alfredton via Rongomai and along Genesis Power Limited, Castle Hill Wind Farm: Transportation Effects Assessment Report Transportation Effects Assessment.docx Mangaone Valley Road. From Alfredton, Over-dimension transport is proposed to take the desired route to Site along Route 52, Castle Hill Road and/or Daggs Road. The preferred route was chosen by selecting the most direct route from Napier to CHWF that utilised main roads through townships and state highways that appeared to have to the least geometric constraints. A more detailed analysis of the proposed route has been done by consulting the District Councils of Tararua and Masterton and local branches of NZTA. Outcomes of this consultation yielded strength and dimensional parameters of concern and indicated where the route had to be refined. For example, just north of Eketahuna there is a rail over bridge crossing SH2. The CHWF Over-dimension loads could not pass underneath due to a height restriction of 4.39m beneath this over bridge. A rail over-pass is available at this location. This has however been assessed as inappropriate due to the nature of the approach grades. The route has been refined so that turbine component transport turns off SH2 at Hamua instead of travelling down to Eketahuna. The Councils have provided information on existing structures along the route. Structures of concern have been identified and solutions to remedy issues, such as strength and dimensions constraints, have been compiled. The Local Road options for the approach of Over-weight and Over-dimension transport from SH2 to the CHWF Site have been concluded as: Pahiatua to Rongomai; Hamua to Rongomai; and Rongomai to Alfredton via Mangaone Valley Road. From Alfredton there are three routes to the Site: Route 52 onto Waitawhiti Road, Waihoki Valley Road and Rimu Road; Castle Hill Road; and Daggs Road onto Maringi Road. Other haulage, such as aggregate transport, can also approach from Eketahuna to Alfredton. When approaching from the south, Masterton for example, other haulage can go onto Daggs Road along Whangaehu Valley Road and onto Maringi Road along Manawa Road. In general, the route between the Port of Napier and Alfredton requires minimal earthworks. Between Alfredton and the Site, the narrow and winding sections of the road are expected to require varying degrees of enhancement. In steep and winding terrain narrower sections of the road are expected to require some significant earthworks and construction. The principal route on the state highway sections of the road follow the defined NZTA Over-dimension vehicle routes, including local bypasses. A separate and detailed Over-dimension vehicle route application will be made as part of the building consent process. Suitability of bends and intersections are broadly based on the parameters supplied by Siemens for their 2.3MW VS turbines. Overviews and impressions formed On-Site and from the desktop investigations have been used as part of the determination of preferred routes. Detailed analyses and design of necessary improvements for particular intersections or alignments are proposed to be undertaken at detailed design stage. For the purposes of quantification however, bends have been classified and some detailed design has been completed. A swept path analysis has been performed on parts of the route proposed from the Port of Napier to the CHWF Site. Use of tracking curves relating to various radii of curvature for different bends overlaid on aerial photographs of critical alignments. This data has been corrected with the curve Genesis Power Limited, Castle Hill Wind Farm: Transportation Effects Assessment Report Transportation Effects Assessment.docx categories. Additional Site surveys have been undertaken at a representative sample of curves in order to identify the potential and expected extent of earthworks. The analysis has identified locations where geometric upgrades, transposing of services and vegetation trimming are likely to be required. Areas of the route requiring geometric upgrades are focused around the turning capabilities of transporters that are to deliver turbine components to turbine Sites. The turbine blade is the component imposing the greatest geometrical constraint as it requires the largest radius for turning and has swing areas to consider due to the overhanging load. Structural and geometrical upgrades are expected along the proposed transportation route from the Port of Napier to CHWF. The District Councils and NZTA have identified structures requiring further investigation due to strength and/or dimensional constraints. They have also assisted with identifying structures on the proposed route that will require upgrading to provide the dimension and/or strength to support the transported turbine components. Such improvements involve bridge strengthening by fitting additional steel work, deck thickening or replacement, additional beams and pier, or abutment strengthening. Dimensional upgrades range from removing handrails to reconstructing the bridge by widening the piers, abutment and carriage way to provide the required width necessary. NZTA and District Councils have considered pavement parameters and have advised areas of concern. A process of observing quality will be implemented and where damage is seen rectification work will be done by the Consent Holder through the CTMP. It is planned that as part of the comprehensive and detailed planning for access to the Site, a trial drive over using a representative telescopic trailer will be undertaken to inform and confirm actual Site design requirements. The individual component parts of the routes are assessed in following sections. 1.3 State Highway Network Constraints SH2 from Napier to Eketahuna is generally seen as a viable route for the largest and heaviest turbine components. There are some 43 bridge or significant culvert structures in this length ranging from 2m culverts to 300m long river crossings. Height constraints exist under a road bridge near Norsewood with a 4.8m clearance (to be confirmed) and a rail overbridge just north of Eketahuna (4.39m). The Norsewood Bridge has an adjacent bypass route which is relatively short whilst the Eketahuna bypass is lengthy and difficult. There is however a more local at grade rail bypass adjacent to the rail structure that could be investigated in the event it were to emerge as a primary Port delivery route. Such a provision would require consultation with On-Track and some upgrading of the access and crossing provisioning. Notwithstanding this potential facility, there remain some additional network constraints east of Eketahuna to be considered. Based on the route being proposed, traffic would turn off before Eketahuna and this diversion would not be required. The route passes through various townships and there are several intersections within them that will require careful negotiation with the largest transporters. Areas of particular