20 October 2016 | AUCKLAND & NORTHLAND

Plans progressing for new two-lane Northland bridges

Significant progress is being made towards replacing a further two bridges to improve safety and resilience on Northland’s state highways.

The NZ Transport Agency is asking for community feedback to help shape the designs of new, two-way bridges on State Highway 10 at both Kaeo and Taipa.

“Replacing these bridges will provide greater resilience during extreme weather events as well as providing better connections for all users along the Twin Coast Discovery route between the Bay of Islands and Doubtless Bay,” says the NZ Transport Agency’s Northland Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon.

The proposals for the new bridge in Taipa will provide two traffic lanes as well as a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. There are also plans for a swimming platform in a similar location to the current platform, which is a popular jumping spot for local children and visitors.

At Kaeo the new bridge and approach roads will be higher so that they’re no longer affected by flood waters. Safety will also be improved by smoothing out the sharp corner on one approach to the bridge and upgrading the nearby intersection to improve visibility.

“These bridge upgrades are part of the Government’s commitment to invest in Northland’s State Highway network to stimulate economic growth throughout the region and improve connections with the rest of New Zealand.”

Public open days are being held in the Taipa and Kaeo communities this week to update the community, give them a chance to talk to the project teams and give their thoughts on the proposed changes.

After feedback has been collected detailed designs will be developed with construction expected to start when resource consent has been secured.

The Hardies and Anderson bridges on State Highway 12 at Matakohe are also progressing through the planning and investment stage.

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