Clarke Underground has the capability to complete smaller and large-scale projects.

Ongoing projects

We currently have small to medium size projects installing power, rail services, fibre networks, gas mains and council services.
This includes planned work and fault restoration work.

Clients:
Downer Utilities Alliance, Electrix, NPE Tech, Scanpower, Ventia (previously Visionstream), KiwiRail, Inspire Net, Palmerston North City Council, Higgins Gas, Fulton Hogan

Location:
Across the central to lower North Island.

Machinery:
Hydro Vac, excavators, and drilling plant.

Transmission Fibre Taupō-Turangi

In 2021, Clarke Underground successfully completed projects in the Taupō District between Te Rangiita and Waitahanui, installing over 15km of fibre ducting. This project played an important link delivering transmission fibre between Taupō and Turangi.

Client:
Downer New Zealand


Location:
Taupō


Machinery:
JT30, JT5

Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB2)

In 2020, Clarke Underground successfully completed projects in Taranaki, installing over 20km of fibre ducting. This project played an important role delivering fibre connections to Chorus customers. Throughout the project, we were required to undertake open trenching and directional drilling throughout urban townships.

Client:
Visionstream


Location:
Patea – Waverley – Kaponga – Manaia – Lepperton


Machinery:
JT30, JT20, JT5

NICE 3

Clarke Underground completed an extensive project commissioned by KiwiRail. The North Island Communication enhancement – stage 3 (NICE 3).

The project involved 55km of duct installation within the KiwiRail corridor, approximately 5-7m from the rail centre line, along the main trunk line from Pōrewa to Marton to Feilding and then onto Palmerston North.

The project required mole-ploughing, open trenching, directional drilling and rock sawing. The main methodology used for the project was to clear existing vegetation and pre-rip the area with a large digger in preparation for the ploughing. After the ploughing, installation of ducting occurred then the area was tidied and compacted with tractors and diggers.

The project took just under 12 months and will allow for the installation of fibre connectivity for KiwiRail operational systems.

Client:
Fulton Hogan John Holland Joint Venture


Location:
Main trunk line between Pōrewa – Marton – Feilding – Palmerston North


Machinery:
HT185, JT30, JT20/20, specialised pipe trailers


NICE 4

In 2018 Clarke Underground successfully completed an extensive project commissioned by KiwiRail. The North Island Communication enhancement – stage 4 (NICE 4).

The project involved 326km of duct installation within the KiwiRail corridor, ideally 5-7m from the rail centre line, along the main trunk line from Pōrewa to Te Awamutu. Of the 326km Clarke Underground were responsible for the majority of installation, that being the 210km from Pōrewa through to Te Kuiti.

The project required mole-ploughing, open trenching, directional drilling and rock sawing. The main methodology used for the project was to clear existing vegetation and pre-rip the area with a large digger in preparation for the ploughing.

The $22 million project took 2.5 years and will allow for the installation of fibre connectivity for KiwiRail operational systems.

Client:
Fulton Hogan John Holland Joint Venture


Location:
Main trunk line between Pōrewa – Taihape – Ohakune – Te Awamutu – Te Kuiti


Machinery:
HT185, JT30, JT20/20, specialised pipe trailers


33kV Cable feeders

In 2019, Clarke Underground successfully completed the 33kV project, installing 33kV feeders from Linton and Fitzherbert to Palmerston North City’s new Fergusson Street substation.

Our methodology for this work allowed the project to be delivered efficiently and on time to our client with minimal disruptions to the public.

The project was divided into two stages. Stage 1 (Palmerston North CBD – Fitzherbert) involved the excavation of pulling pits and jointing pits, as well as trenching on the Massey University side from the termination pole to the jointing pit at the Massey boundary fence.

Stage 2 (Linton 1 and 2), involved excavation of turning pits, jointing pits and trenching works to allow for the installation of the 33kV cabling.

Client:
PowerCo


Location:
Palmerston North – Fitzherbert – Linton


Machinery:
Hydro Vac, Excavators 1.7-13.5t, dumpers and tip trucks