New bridge for James Road in Golden Bay gets the go-ahead

Friday 8 July 2011

The contract to build a new bridge over the Aorere River near Bainham in Golden Bay has been awarded.

Councillor Trevor Norriss, Chair of Tasman District Council’s Engineering Committee, announced the replacement during today’s visit by the Minister of Agriculture Hon David Carter to the Aorere Valley.

"Replacing the original James Road bridge washed away during the serious flood event in December last year has always been the focus of our regional recovery programme", said Councillor Norriss.

The new bridge will span the 60 metre gap that has isolated two landowners since December. Since the flood the Council has provided a temporary footbridge on loan from the Department of Conservation allowing access for essential items across the river.

Bridges of this nature cannot be constructed very quickly. The design and construction phases will be technically challenging, will take some time and require the experience the successful contractor, Concrete Structures (NZ) Ltd, brings in large span bridge projects.

Work will begin early to mid-August with the abutments being built first. The superstructure will then be constructed from mid-September with a proposed opening date in mid-December.