The realignment will pass over the top of the gorge, avoiding the existing narrow, sharp twists and turns of the existing route. The $30m New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) project was advanced in 2009 by the Government's Jobs and Growth stimulus package and has provided a significant economic boost to the region by using local contractors and suppliers, including concrete supply by Firth Napier, for this very unique project.
"Concrete Structures NZ Ltd are our customer on this project with Downer EDI being the main contractor," says Lester Wagner, Manager, Hawkes Bay for Firth. "We started supply at the beginning of 2010 for the new viaduct with a steady supply of onsite and pre-cast concrete required for the project. The bridge itself is all but complete with just a small amount of concrete required to complete a join on the bridge. Other than that we have completed all concrete deliveries to the project."
Construction of the bridge involved building wings from the northern and southern side of the gorge and joining the sections in the middle. Dave Fraser, Napier Plant Manager for Firth explains, "Concrete Structures Ltd had a very large 450-tonne crane which they used to lift the middle section of the bridge into place to join up the northern and southern wings of the bridge."
"Once the middle section of the viaduct was lowered into place, the pre-cast concrete deck sections, which were manufactured in our Hastings plant, were laid on top. The reinforcing steel was then placed and the insitu deck poured," says Mike Romanes, Manager for Concrete Structures Ltd. "Firth has been fantastic as always. There have been absolutely no issues or problems, they do a great job for us."
Along with construction of the new viaduct the existing route through the Matahorua Gorge has been shortened from 4.5km to 3.1km by easing the sharp twists and turns, providing a straighter, shorter journey that will be safer, easier and more reliable for motorists. With the bridge complete work continues on the roads surrounding the new gorge bridge for its expected opening on 25 February.
