Media Release

13 February 2013

Boaties Asked To Take Care Around Bridge

Boaties are being asked to take care around the Lower Hatea River Crossing as installation of the fender piles and pontoons starts this week.

The fender piles and pontoons are designed to assist boats passing beneath the bridge by marking the channel and providing a place for boats to tie up and wait for the bridge to open.

Made of marine-grade treated timber, the fender piles will act as a guide through the channel for boats passing beneath the bridge. Whangarei District Council Infrastructure and Services Manager Simon Weston said that, should a boat go off course trying to pass underneath the bridge it will be deflected by these much softer fenders rather than the concrete bridge piers.

The work is being carried out over the next three weeks by Total Marine Services from Opua and includes pontoons which will allow boats to tie up while they are waiting for the bridge to open.
Each pontoon will have two piles at each end which will be driven 5-6 meters into the river bed by the piling barge.

“A large piling barge will be on site in the main channel and additional care will need to be taken. Particular care will be required as it may get crowded in the main channel at low tide when the piling barge is working between the bridge piers,” Mr Weston said.

“The public and river users have been very patient and safety con¬scious throughout construction to date. With this work about to start, closely followed by the construction of the bascule itself, we want to advise people to continue to take great care in and around the area over the next few weeks. The end is almost in sight with bridge completion still on track for July,” said Mr Weston.

Work is due to start on the fenders tomorrow with the pontoons installed during the last week of February.

“When the bridge is complete, it will be closed to boats during peak hour traffic between 7.15am and 8:45am and 4.00pm and 5.30pm,” Mr Weston said.

“Outside these times, skippers will need to ring or radio a request to the bascule operator for it to be opened, and the pontoons will give boats somewhere to stop and wait safely.“

ENDS

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