Bridge of international significance opens in Whangarei this Saturday

More than 2000 people are expected to attend the opening of Whangarei’s spectacular new river crossing, Te Matau a Pohe (the Fishhook of Pohe) this Saturday.

“We expect it to be a spectacular occasion,” said Whangarei District Council’s Infrastructure Services Manager Simon Weston.

“This is the only time we have celebrated the opening of such a striking, large-scale piece of infrastructure.

“The bridge represents the near-completion of a 20-year programme of upgrades to our inner city road network. It is a catalyst for a major recreational development, 4.2km of riverside walkway, between the bridge and the inner city. It reflects our culture, history, community and commitment to excellence.

“Through this bridge, the walkway and major cultural developments at the Town Basin, more people living in and visiting Whangarei are re-connecting with the river.

“The bridge is a piece of international-quality architecture and engineering, designed by Martin Knight, who has designed many bridges of international significance including the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in England, the Nidau Canal Bridge in Switzerland and the Bad Salzungen in Germany, among others,” said Mr Weston.

“It was built by a Joint Venture Partnership between Transfield Services and McConnell Dowell, through an innovative early contractor involvement, pain/gain sharing contract with Whangarei District Council.

“All work on the five-year project came in at $32.2million, of which the New Zealand Transport Agency contributed $14.5 million. Of the total spend, $17.5million was with local companies who provided a level of workmanship to equal that anywhere else in the world.

“This major project came at a time when many districts in New Zealand were starting to suffer long-term effects of the Global Financial Crisis. It has staved off some of the downturn in our industrial community.”

Mr Weston said local businesses have been able to showcase their expertise on an internationally significant project.

“I sincerely hope that will it generate spin-off work for them in the years to come.

“It also enabled expertise to be developed and refined at a personal level, with several construction staff and adult apprentices completing their time during the project – enhancing their employment opportunities for years to come.

“Staying local, where possible, has also established relationships with local businesses that will sustain its operation over the long term.”

“The bridge is now part of the fabric of the District’s history. The people who worked on it, the families they support, the teams that gained skills here will all pass their involvement in this project to future generations,” he said.

Major local players

Transfield Services was the Joint Venture partner responsible for the $8million construction of the earthworks, drainage and road construction, including the construction of the three roundabouts.

Two major local contracts totalling $1.9million went to local companies, McKay Electrical and McRaes Engineering.

McKay supplied the electrical components of the bridge including power supply to lights and to the hydraulic rams that will lift the bridge’s bascule, while McRaes supplied the hydraulics system to the rams for the bascule.

Another major local component was the reinforced concrete work for the precast deck panels by Busck Prestressed Concrete.

Rudolphs took care of the New Zealand end of the painting work.

Fell Engineering from Haruru Falls completed the $1million hand rails and crash barriers.

Clips and links
To see a 30-second clip of the construction and of the bridge opening and closing, follow the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgBaV5jwEAo&feature=youtu.be

Here are a couple of movies and stills of Martin Knight’s work.
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/knight-architects-triumphs-in-bridge-competitions/5033664.article

Gateshead Millennium Bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7nXXy1NhpM
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Knight's moving footbridge at Merchant Square, Paddington
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ZwNa1lPO4

Here is a link to Martin’s other projects including the Nidau Canal Bridge in Switzerland, the Kruunusilat in Helsinki, Finland, and the Bad Salzungen in Germany.

http://www.knightarchitects.co.uk/#/bridges/projects

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