Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Sod turning for remarkable new bridge in Flat Bush

Media Release
25 October 2006


Sod turning for remarkable new bridge in Flat Bush


Work has begun on New Zealand’s first cable-stayed traffic bridge, at Flat Bush in Manukau. The sod turning for the new Ormiston Road bridge was held today, with Mayor Sir Barry Curtis turning the first sod. The bridge will become a landmark entrance to the Flat Bush town centre. Flat Bush is currently mostly green fields but is set to become the largest urban development in the country over the next five years.

Many of the best-known bridges around the world are cable-stayed, such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge.

Twenty cables will support the Ormiston Road bridge, with each made up of between 78 and 144 seven mm wires grouped inside a stay pipe.

Located in the middle of Barry Curtis Park and at the entrance to the town centre, the bridge will provide a dramatic entrance to Flat Bush. It has been designed to lift the road above the 100 year flood plain and allow access underneath it through Barry Curtis Park. Ormiston Road is being upgraded to four lanes of traffic with signalised intersections at both the town centre and Chapel Road.

Designed by Beca Infrastructure Ltd and Moller Architects, the new 70 metre long steel box girder bridge will be suspended from concrete pylons 46 metres high. Measuring 27 metres across, it will feature four traffic lanes, two cycle lanes and footpaths on both sides, providing a crossing point over Ormiston Road for pedestrians.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

The $12.75 million Ormiston road upgrade and bridge construction project is jointly funded by Manukau City Council and Land Transport New Zealand.

Construction of the bridge is expected to be complete by February 2008, when Ormiston Road will reopen. Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis believes the striking design of the bridge will lead to it becoming a city icon.

Much of the area designated for development at Flat Bush is still green fields but that is soon to change. “There’s a hive of activity around Flat Bush at the moment, with


-2-

construction of the bridge, earthworks for Barry Curtis Park and the recent opening of the wetlands playground.

“The bridge project is a crucial part of the infrastructure the council is putting in. There are extensive roading, pedestrian and cycling improvements underway, and that that will result in significant benefits for all road users in the area.”


About Flat Bush


Covering 1700 hectares, and with 15,000 homes scheduled to be built, Flat Bush is New Zealand's largest planned development. Within seven years Flat Bush will be home to more than 40,000 people.

The development will include a new town centre with retail, office and community facilities, a 94 hectare park catering for a range of sporting and recreation needs, a range of housing options, up to seven new schools including a new secondary school, cycle and pedestrian friendly streets, and access to public transport services. At least one quarter of the area will remain as parks and other green open space.

Manukau City Council is guiding the overall design and development of Flat Bush to ensure that people, places and the environment are given as much emphasis as the economic considerations that drive private development.

Ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.