$1.75m boost secures 1000-year walk bridge

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Long-running plans to build a “1000-year walk bridge” over Rakaiatane Road are back on track, after new funding was secured.

The contract for the 1000-year walk bridge design and build was signed this week after Gisborne District Council was awarded $1.75m from the Lottery Significant Projects Fund.

Contractor Currie Construction will complete the bridge, the final stage of the Puhi Kai Iti project.

The bridge will connect Puhi Kai Iti /Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve with Titirangi maunga, across Rakaiatane Road.

Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said the bridge would provide pedestrians with a safe link across a busy road and connect two landmarks which represented the unique cultural and navigational heritage of the region.

“The vision and aspirations of Ngati Oneone and the Department of Conservation have been the driving force behind this project.”

The $1.75m received is a portion of the amount needed to complete the bridge, and while further funding options are investigated, the council would proceed with a more affordable approach to the original concept.

“The funding we've received will go a long way towards creating the ‘missing link' and connecting these significant cultural heritage sites,” said Ms Thatcher Swann.

“Funding for projects like this is key to unlocking cultural, social and economic possibilities for our region.”

Design and consenting was completed for the bridge in 2019, but the project was put on hold when the Government pulled a $5.8m Provincial Growth Fund grant because of Covid-19.

Lotteries Significant Projects have also been involved in funding.

The bridge, costed at one stage at $6.9 million, was originally intended to be built in time for Tuia 250 commemorations, in October, 2019.

The council has been holding “descoping” talks with funders to bring the cost down.