The new bridge
Due to irreparable earthquake damage to the foundations of the existing Ferrymead Bridge, on 15 December 2011 a proposal by staff recommending the Council waver the original plans for strengthening the Ferrymead Bridge in favour of a new bridge was presented. As a result, the Council authorised staff to proceed with the change in project methodology to demolish the existing Ferrymead Bridge and construct a new bridge in its place.
The new bridge will be a typical, modern, two-span concrete bridge likely to be supported by four 2.4 metre piles in the centre of the river.
The layout of the road will remain as per the previous plan. See Project Plan information
Media Release 15 December 2011 - work to begin on replacing the Ferrymead Bridge with a new structure.
Project timeline and contractors
The construction will take approximately two years to complete. For a period of this, traffic will be diverted onto the temporary bridges up and downstream while the current bridge is demolished and the new bridge is constructed.
HEB Structures were awarded the previous contract via competitive tender. Staff have been authorised to negotiate a contract directly with them for the construction of the new bridge. Some of their recent projects include the Kopu Bridge which opened immediately before Christmas at the Coromandel valued at $35 million, the new Arahura Bridge, a $21 million project completed in 2009, and building of the Awatere Bridge, a $13 million project completed in 2007.
What can be expected
- The site office will be situated at the water works reserve across from the Mobil station, between the Bridge and the Sand Bar car park in its current location.
- Construction will not extend into residential or business areas of Ferrymead and will not restrict customer car parking (other than at the Sand Bar).
- It is expected that vehicles will be limited to 20 kph across the temporary bridges. Vehicle, cycle, and pedestrian access across the river will be maintained throughout construction.
- Installation of the new bridge piles will involve noise and vibration, however this will be limited to the normal hours of work - 7am until 6pm weekdays and 7:30am to 1pm Saturday. There will be up to 20 workers on site throughout construction.
- For safety reasons, waterway access underneath the Ferrymead Bridge is closed until construction works are completed in 2013.
- The Main Road three-laning project will be completed in conjunction with the construction work above the bridge, and will be carried out in 2012 and 2013.
History of this project
In 1994, a 'Lifelines' study was undertaken to review a number of bridges on key routes around the city, which included the Ferrymead Bridge. The 'Lifelines' report identified that in the event of a significant earthquake, the soil beneath the bridge could liquefy, and because the piles aren't currently founded to bedrock – there is a risk of bridge failure (this liquefaction occurred in the 22 February earthquake, and resulted in significant damage to the bridge foundations).
In 2004, Council presented the Ferrymead Bridge Lifelines Project concept plans to the public through online and print communications, as well as a public meeting of approximately 100 people. Council received approximately 200 responses to the plans, and of those, 70 percent were in support of the plans.
The project then underwent an immense design process over five years. This ensures the most cost effective upgrade is carried out in the least amount of time and with minimum disruption to bridge users.
As a result of changes to the ground conditions in the vicinity of the bridge resulting from the February earthquakes, it is now unfeasible to install the planned foundations. This is because the ground has been disturbed, liquefied, and is very easy to re-liquefy, resulting in dramatically increased costs to install the proposed foundations. These increased costs means that it is now economically more effective to construct a new bridge.
How you can find out more
The Council is committed to updating the community on the Ferrymead Bridge project and will hold information sessions for local residents and businesses when required. The first information sessions were successfully held at the beginning of September 2010.
If you would like to keep informed with the status of the Ferrymead Bridge project, please sign-up to receive the Ferrymead Bridge E-newsletter here:
