Media Release
Transit New Zealand
National Office
Media Release
6 May 2008
Kopu
Bridge
construction planned for 2010/11
Transit New Zealand chief executive Rick van Barneveld
today confirmed Transit plans to start construction of the new Kopu Bridge by
mid 2011.
"We know how important this project is to the people of the Thames
Coromandel district and other regular users of SH25 and the work has been done
to allow us to confidently plan for building it."
In response to concerns about the safety of the existing
bridge, Mr van Barneveld was quick to reassure motorists the bridge was
structurally sound and fit for the volume of traffic that currently uses it.
"The bridge is safe. It was built in 1927 so it's not
surprising that it doesn't meet modern design and construction standards. The
driving force behind replacing it has always been to reduce traffic delays and
deal with growing traffic volumes in years to come."
He said that it was important to put the information on Transit's website
stating that sections of the bridge could collapse in a moderate earthquake in
context.
Analysis had shown the
Kopu
Bridge
was likely to withstand an earthquake of up to between one in 300 and one in
500 year magnitude, he said.
Although this wasn't in keeping with today's guidelines, which see bridges
designed and constructed to withstand a one in 2500 year earthquake, the risk of
such an earthquake was still quite low.
Mr van Barneveld said Transit
had a robust bridge inspection programme and the bridge was continually
monitored and maintained.
For more information please contact:
Rick van Barneveld
Chief Executive
Tel 04 496 6601
or
Janice Wilson
Senior Communications Advisor
Tel 04 496 6643
Mob 027 3266545
Janice.wilson@transit.govt.nz
