Work on the Lower Hatea Crossing is moving ahead starting with the installation of a culvert alongside Riverside Drive.
Updated:
9/02/2012 2:01 p.m.
The installation of a large culvert was the first sign for many Riverside Drive residents and commuters that construction of the $29 million Lower Hatea Crossing was underway.
Over the next 18 months they can expect to see further markers of progress in the step-by-step process of creating a major feature of Whangarei’s future landscape.
The 100-metre culvert paves the way for the construction in early 2013 of a roundabout on Riverside Drive as the last part of the eastern link to the bridge. Laying of the culvert’s 2.1 metre diameter concrete sections weighing over 6 tonnes each was completed in the last week of January, with the next stage being to backfill over the structure and install extra preload fill.
The fill will need to settle over the next 12 months, meaning the remainder of the work on the Riverside Drive side of the bridge will have to wait until early 2013 to be completed.
“Construction of the culvert went as planned and to schedule, with the only challenge being the continual need to pump water from the culvert site throughout the process,” says Simon Weston, Whangarei District Council Group Manager Infrastructure and Services.
Backfilling and installation of extra pre-load fill will occur over the next six weeks.
“With the Riverside Drive culvert construction completed, we will move our attention to building the bridge,” he said.
“Construction of the 265 metre long bridge is likely to start in the next week and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.”
The bridge design incorporates a central lifting span, but with a clear height of 7.5 metres above high water, most vessels will be able to pass underneath without the span being raised.
Commuters and residents will notice the construction of the eastern side of the bridge happening over the next 6 months.
“This will involve progressive construction of a temporary jetty and installation of the permanent bridge piers and deck,” Mr Weston said.
“The temporary jetty will then be removed and re-used for the construction of the western side of the bridge.
“We aim to have the bridge completed by the end of 2012.”
Work has also begun on Port Rd and Okara Drive to construct the two roundabouts which form the western link of the project. These roundabouts will be constructed over the next 12 months.
The contractors will then return to Riverside Drive to construct the final roundabout and the remainder of the eastern link.
“Everything going to plan, the entire project will be complete by June 2013,” he said.
“We have further plans to enhance the walk and cycle circuit that crosses the bridge and starts and finishes at the Town Basin by developing William Fraser Memorial Park into one of the country’s largest urban parks with a possible park-and-ride facility for commuters.
“But, for the moment we are keeping our eyes and minds firmly on the Lower Hatea Crossing and enjoying watching it take shape. We hope residents who drive past or live by the development will be doing the same.”