Bridging communities

BPC utilised Smiths Crane and Construction Ltd’s Liebherr LR11000 to lift the 90.5m span Te Reinga network arch bridge into place over the Wairoa River in Hawkes Bay. The bridge lift attracted many locals, keen to see a permanent replacement bridge for one irreparably damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The bridge’s single span design eliminates the need for a pier in the riverbed, minimising environmental disruption and preserving the mauri of the awa. The main bridge is supported by two 1200mm diameter piles at each end, with the land span supported by two 900mm diameter piles at the abutment. The network arch was pre-fabricated in Hawke's Bay by Eastbridge Ltd, then assembled on site.

BPC’s Central Regional Manager Adam Plimmer says the lift was the biggest undertaken in New Zealand and the first with this 1100t crawler crane, which has recently entered the country. He praised the BPC team who have worked together to deliver the project.

“Mandeep Singh and the team have pushed hard to maintain a tight programme, dealing with challenging ground conditions and the remote nature of the site,” Adam said. “I’m very proud of their efforts and the sacrifices the team has made to get this project to where it is.”

The project, delivered for QRS Ltd and ultimately for Wairoa District Council, is 100% Government funded.