The Waiharakeke bridge Closed

[Kawhia]

The Waiharakeke Bridge, on Harbour Road at the boundary of the Otorohanga and Waitomo Districts, has been closed due to repairs being undertaken to replace the timber deck of the bridge... www.otodc.govt.nz/News/RoadClosures.htm

[Kawhia]

Its been discovered the Waiharakeke bridge is beyond repair, and now the focus is on building a completely new bridge... www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/4382544a6579.html

[Kawhia]

Heres an update on the Waiharakeke Bridge

Otorohanga and Waitomo District Councils have, after inviting price submissions from a number of contractors, awarded a contract for the re-piling of Waiharakeke Bridge on Harbour Road to Emmetts Civil Construction Limited of Wanganui.

The works comprise driving new steel piles alongside all of the existing concrete bridge piers to carry the existing bridge deck. The price of the successful tender was $707,400, which was generally in line with expectations, and subsidy of this expenditure has been approved by Land Transport New Zealand.

The execution of these works, in conjunction with the previous renewal of the timber bridge deck, will in effect create a new bridge, with the only remaining original components being the steel bridge beams.

Fabrication of steelwork to connect the new piles has already begun, and on-site works will commence on 25 March. The Councils are confident that all works will be completed by early June as previously indicated, and also consider that there is a realistic possibility that the works may be completed before the end of May.

Dave Clibbery
Engineering Manager
Otorohanga District Council
10 March 2008