Media Release
Wanganui District Council and Transit New Zealand
Wanganui Regional Office
Media release
24 August 2006
Bailey Bridge restores access to Mangamahu community
The restoration of access to the remote Mangamahu community was celebrated today with the official opening of a temporary bridge replacing the Ngaturi Bridge, which collapsed during storms in July.
Minister of Civil Defence Hon. Rick Barker officially opened the bridge. The opening ceremony was attended by Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws, Transit Regional Manager Errol Christiansen, and members of the local community. The ceremony included an iwi blessing, a welcome by Mayor Laws and speeches by the Minister, Mr Christiansen and other guests. Wanganui District Councillors Don McGregor and Randhir Dahya then piped the guests across the bridge to the ribbon cutting ceremony.
"An unbelievable amount of work has gone into this project and today's ceremony recognises the combined efforts of all parties involved in getting the Bailey Bridge up and running," Mayor Laws said.
"After the Minister told me last month that the government would design, erect and fully fund the Bailey Bridge, I was pretty damned excited on behalf of the Mangamahu community. That decision was a direct result of his visit to Wanganui and the Mangamahu area. It dispelled many fears in the Mangamahu community and ensured that life can return pretty much to normal.
"This Bailey Bridge puts the lie to that old chestnut about politicians not keeping their promises. Promises were made and kept and let's hope the media communicate a public bouquet instead of a public brickbat. Rick Barker deserves every credit ' he has been absolutely fantastic."
"Transit was pleased to be able to help the Wanganui District Council by building a Bailey Bridge," says Mr Christiansen. "It has required a massive effort and co-operation from all parties, and despite terrible weather, the bridge has been built in a very short time period."
The previous three-span 90m long bridge at Mangamahu collapsed on Sunday, 9 July. On 12 July, with confirmation of funding from Land Transport New Zealand, the Wanganui District Council and Transit started preparation to install a Bailey Bridge, a specially designed temporary structure which can be used in roading emergencies.
Surveys, soil testing and designs confirmed a two span 70m bridge was the best possible option. This required the construction of a temporary staging for the piling equipment and a pier foundation to be driven into the riverbed.
"Building the bridge adjacent to the existing collapsed bridge may have been the more complicated option, requiring a slightly longer construction time, but it allows Wanganui District Council to construct a permanent bridge on the previous alignment, without road closures or disruption to the local community," Mr Christiansen says.
On opening, the responsibility of the bridge will be handed back to the Wanganui District Council. The Bailey Bridge will be returned to Transit on completion of the permanent replacement.
Transit's Bailey Bridge Service has both North and South Island facilities, and can be used for various purposes, including rapid replacement of collapsed bridges, temporary structures for road construction projects, and non-emergency situations such as providing access to filming locations.
For further information please contact:
Julian Reweti Infrastructure Manager Wanganui District Council 06 349 0001 or 027 452 5996 Errol Christiansen Wanganui Regional Manager Transit New Zealand 06 345 4173 or 027 453 1647
Visit us at www.transit.govt.nz
