New footbridge being built across the Waiohine

18th April 2007

New footbridge being built across the Waiohine River

Vehicle access to the eastern Tararua Forest Park from the Walls Whare roadend in the Wairarapa will be closed for about nine weeks from 30 April 2007 to allow for the construction of a new bridge across the Waiohine Gorge.

Wellington-based Abseil Access Ltd has won the contract to build the 92-metre suspension bridge, which replaces a swingbridge built 25 years ago by the former New Zealand Forest Service. The company was one of five tenderers for the work, which also involves the removal of the old swingbridge.

The congestion of the narrow bridge in such a high use area, and a generous swing which made crossing difficult in high winds, influenced the Department of Conservation’s decision to replace it, visitor assets programme manager Garry Foster said.

“An engineering inspection revealed that while the bridge was safe, its replacement was advisable given its high use and location near a popular camping and picnic area.”

The existing swingbridge will be closed to the public during construction of the new bridge. The access road past the first picnic area will also be closed during this time, but to vehicles only.

“Heavy machinery and equipment will be used on the site so we are closing this area to vehicles to protect the public from hazards associated with the construction work,” Mr Foster said.

People can still walk to the camping ground and on into the forest park by crossing the Waiohine River.

“But we encourage people to be particularly careful when crossing the river as it can be dangerous if water levels are high. We strongly recommend that people don’t plan trips that require exiting the park at this site until the new bridge is built. If the river is swollen they will have to retrace their steps.”

DOC apologises to the public for any inconvenience during the construction of the new bridge, expected to be in place by the end of June, at a cost of around $90,000.

“But the result will be well worth waiting for. The new suspension bridge will provide easier access to this popular area of the park. It can carry eight people at a time, compared to the one person loading of the swingbridge it replaces,”

The main entrance to the eastern Tararua Forest Park is the Holdsworth roadend. Turn off State Highway 2 on to Norfolk Road, 2 km south of Masterton. This leads to Mount Holdsworth Road. Holdsworth is 15 km from State Highway 2.

Find out more about the Tararua Forest Park on the DOC website: www.doc.govt.nz /parks and recreation/places to visit/Wellington/Wairarapa/Tararua Forest Park

ENDS

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