Dannevirke: Work begins to replace 'skinny bridge'

Heavy rain helped soften the dirt as the first sod was turned to signal the start of work on the Whakaruatapu Bridge on State Highway 2, north of Dannevirke yesterday morning.

A safe, modern, not-so-skinny bridge-culvert will replace the existing bridge with Tararua District mayor Roly Ellis manning a modern digger and not an old spade, to turn the ground for the two-year $6.8 million project which will see the 87-year-old bridge replaced.

"It's taken seven times as long to get this project under way as it will to replace the bridge and I remember the cemetery being moved 16 years ago when we first thought work was about to start," he said. "Some people thought they might end up in a cemetery as well crossing the dangerous bridge. But we've been lucky, there are no horror stories and it's fantastic we've got to this stage."

Mr Ellis said he had to fight for the bridge, urging the region's mayors to support him.

"I told them something had to happen or we'd have a real nasty accident," he said. "Local resident Jenny Kells really got stuck in, leading a community charge for the bridge to be replaced."

Mrs Kells, who organised a 1370-signature petition to the New Zealand Transport Agency ((NZTA), told the Dannevirke News she was excited to see work getting under way.

NZTA regional highways manager David McGonigal said the project will help support the local economy, with Dannevirke-based subcontractor Morris and Bailey supplying the aggregate and concrete work for the culvert. The project will be constructed by Stringfellows from Palmerston North.

"It's great that we're able to call upon the local workforce to help build a bridge they'll be using more than just about anyone," he said.

"It may be a peaceful area, but this is a busy highway which warrants a safe, modern bridge to take it well into the 21st century.

"Five thousand vehicles use this route every day, and one in seven is a heavy vehicle. Once replaced, motorists, cyclists and trucks will be able to share the bridge without holding their breath or gritting their teeth.

"The new bridge will provide safer, more comfortable trips for all road users, while supporting economic activity, especially freight travelling between the ports and the main centres. We are celebrating much more than just the start of a new bridge. We'll be transforming nearly 2km of highway and giving it a full safety makeover."

The project will see the stream pass through a large culvert that will form the new bridge, with the effect that motorists will hardly know they have just crossed a bridge.

Mr McGonigal said widening the highway and bridge will have substantial safety benefits, helping to reduce the risk and severity of crashes.

"By straightening the highway we will reduce the chances of people losing control on the curves and by widening its shoulders we provide room for motorists to correct if they make an error.

"The extra width will also provide breathing space for cyclists. The new bridge won't just be a little bit wider; it will be much wider - going from less than 6m of road width to around 10m - including spacious shoulders cyclists can ride safely in."

The new bridge/culvert will be built to modern seismic standards, with the ability to withstand a large earthquake.