News & Media Releases

First Viaduct Bridge Beam for Harbour Link

Tauranga Office

May 2, 2008

The first viaduct bridge beam for Transit New Zealand’s Harbour Link Project was poured this week – a major milestone for the Project.

The beams are being produced in the purpose built on-site precast concrete yard next to the Sulphur Point railway yard, and will be used in constructing the Chapel St viaduct, the link from Takitimu Dr over Chapel St and Marsh St to the new Harbour Bridge. The on-site precast yard will keep movement of finished beams within the construction site, resulting in less night work and traffic closures, minimising the impact on motorists.

The beams, known as “T-Roff”, are T-shaped and are the main structural members of the viaduct. A total of 184 of these beams up to 37 metres long and weighing up to 80 tonnes will be cast – the largest of this type made in New Zealand. Transit’s Project Manager Kevin Reid said he was pleased to see this milestone being reached and looked forward to seeing these beams being produced at a rate of three to four beams each week.

Pre-stressing of the beams involves 56 high-strength strands made of steel (15.6mm diameter) run through the mould before pouring the concrete and pulling the steel strands with jacks to apply tension. Once the concrete has cured, gantry cranes remove the beam from the mould which is then readied for production of the next beam.

NEWS MEDIA: For further information, contact:

Kevin Reid

Transit's Harbour Link Project Manager

Ph 07 927 6008 or 021 2856512

www.smarttransport.org.nz

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