A bridge too shaky?
That would be going too far, the Department of Conservation says, in the case of Mangapurua's "Bridge to Nowhere".
Community relations programme manager Keith Beautrais yesterday scolded the Chronicle over aspects of its coverage (Saturday, May 27, P1) of earthquake-prone structures in the Ruapehu district.
The story was headed "A bridge too shaky" and was illustrated with a photograph of the iconic bridge ("will it shake to pieces?").
The Ruapehu District Council is drawing up a policy on earthquake-prone structures and within five years will have to determine the Mangapurua bridge's safety.
Mr Beautrais said there was a heated reaction to the publicity. On Monday a post-season hui involving Whanganui National Park concession-aires and river operators affirmed their support for the bridge's structural safety and called on DoC to reply to the Chronicle "and the unfortunate headline."
DoC supported the river operators, Mr Beautrais said.
"About $200,000 has been spent in the last decade to make this iconic landmark one of the best maintained structures of its age in the country.
"If you had to choose a bridge to be on when the big one comes it would be as good as any."
On a light note he said: "I would even venture to suggest it would be relatively safe from tsunamis and a good place to shelter under from volcanic eruptions.
"The article itself seemed fair but the headline 'A bridge too shaky', with our gracious icon illustrated, could cause unwarranted concern."
Mr Beautrais stressed DoC's safety consciousness and acknowledged earthquakes were a real risk.
"But we feel the story would have been better illustrated with a picture of some old buildings in Taumarunui or Raetihi."
The bridge was made of reinforced concrete.
"I would rather be supported by that than the load-bearing brick pillars of early 20th century buildings," Mr Beautrais said.
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