Tree felling work has continued this week ahead of the start of Ashburton’s long-awaited second bridge and materials have arrived on the site.
Frustrated transport operators are hanging their hopes on the new bridge easing the town’s traffic ‘‘gauntlet’’ at peak times.
NZ Transport Agency provided a project update on May 1, stating it was “gearing up to start construction”, but a key detail was missing – a construction start date.
LDR understands the construction start is pending NZTA having a signed contract with lead contractor Fletcher Construction, with negotiations drawing to a close.
NZTA’s infrastructure regional manager for the central and lower South Island, Sean Walsh, said some preparation and enabling work is happening on site.
“Once the construction programme is finalised, and a date is set for a formal start to construction, we will be able to share more on this.
“While strictly speaking the design and construction contract for the project is between NZTA and the appointed contractor, Ashburton District Council – as a partner in this project – has been part of discussions and briefed regularly through the course of the project, including on the procurement.”
Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan said NZTA is leading the contract negotiations, and more details, including the cost of the project, will be announced once a formal start of construction has been confirmed.
Walsh said the new bridge is still expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
For some, the new bridge can’t come soon enough.
In an update report to the Ashburton District Road safety co-ordinating committee Tuesday last week, Transporting New Zealand industry advisor Jim Crouchley stated the traffic congestion through Ashburton “is ongoing and the frustration continues”.
“The operators I talk to feel like they ‘run the gauntlet’ at peak times and hope for the best to meet schedules and remain within the law regarding driving hours.
“Much hope is laid at the feet of the second bridge, and the construction cannot happen soon enough.”
NZTA’s project update detailed that the first 28 steel pile casings for the new bridge foundations arrived on site earlier this month.
The update stated the casings are “sizable pieces of steel that weigh between 6 and 10 tonnes”.
“They arrive in two halves and will be joined together to form a pile 20m deep below the ground.”
Once the casings are driven into the ground, they will be filled with reinforced concrete to become “the solid legs the bridge stands on”.
More will arrive on trucks every week over the next several months.
The update also confirmed that, as the council had requested, gravel is being removed from the Hakatere/ Ashburton River for the project.
Ecan is removing gravel from the north branch of the river, near Walkhams Road, to reduce flood risk and return the channel to its agreed flowcarrying capacity.
Some material also being used for new stopbanks as part of the council’s 30-year infrastructure flood protection programme, but is also being stockpiled for use when construction on the bridge starts.
Over the coming weeks, crews will be preparing work areas for future construction work, including removing trees and vegetation, forming temporary access tracks, installing fencing, and setting up work areas such as construction compounds, site offices and storage.
