News & Media Releases

Harbour Link Bridge Project Heading for Touchdown

19 February 2009

Work has progressed steadily on the NZ Transport Agency’s Harbour Link project over the past few months.

NZ Transport Agency Regional Director, Harry Wilson, says the new Harbour Bridge is now well past the halfway point of its journey across Tauranga Harbour.  The construction team has been completing a bridge launch every Monday, and has so far launched 15 of the 23 segments.  Piling for the bridge should be completed towards the end of March, and all going well the bridge should touchdown on the Mount causeway in May.

Towards the end of this week temporary concrete barriers along the Mount causeway will be relocated to allow the upgrade of services and footpath to begin.  Lanes will be narrowed along the causeway and barriers installed on the eastern side.  Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted onto a temporary footpath next to the barriers and should take special care through this area.

Behind the screens on Aerodrome Bridge work continues on piling for the new Aerodrome Bridge.  The new bridge will be identical to the existing bridge, although slightly wider to accommodate a shared cycle way/footpath.  Like the new Harbour Bridge, a temporary bridge or staging has been built so that cranes and rigs can reach each of the pile locations.  Piling for the new Aerodrome Bridge is expected to be completed by the end of April.

Bridge beams being produced at the on-site precast yard continue to be placed on the Chapel St Viaduct.  Construction of the crossheads and abutments for the viaduct will be completed in June.

Work has begun on the upgrade of Pitt St, the lane off Marsh St adjacent to Cookes, which will provide access to NZ Post’s warehouse.  At the end of February the Marsh St access to Bay Central, next to Placemakers will be permanently closed.

A hive of activity is underway on what was the grassed area adjacent to Dive Cr and Marsh St as services are installed and the ground prepared for landscaping in a few months’ time.

For more information please contact:

Julie Hannam
Regional Communications Advisor
NZ Transport Agency
T       07 903 5146
M      027 294 2649
julie.hannam@nzta.govt.nz

www.nzta.govt.nz

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