Te Reinga bridge: 
End-to-end bridge construction

During Cyclone Gabrielle, the Te Reinga bridge in Wairoa was significantly damaged.

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Lattey aligned with QRS, was contracted to design and build a 100-metre long temporary bridge, incorporating a 42 metre Bailey bridge constructed by Downer.

 

The bridge had to provide a minimum supporting load of 100T to allow for construction of a new permanent bridge in the future.

 

The bridge location and terrain meant the project held a high level of risk. The structure was built over six metres above ground level and 200 metres upstream of a dangerous waterfall.

 

The project was also very time sensitive, with a high level of community pressure to provide access to the isolated Ruakituri community. With no bridge, up to 300 people were required to drive a two-hour detour in each direction to Wairoa.

 

As the environment did not allow for construction to be completed within the river course way, the bridge had to be built from one end to the other in a linear approach. To mitigate delays, planning and organisation was critical. Due to the challenging nature of the site, the project programme had to be continually reviewed, and community expectations managed.

 

Lattey liaised directly with Wairoa District Council, WSP (Council Engineers) and Quality Roading Services and held weekly meetings with the local iwi and community representatives to ensure everyone was kept up to date with progress.

 

Lattey completed the entire bridge structure. Construction review was completed by Novare Design Limited and WSP.

 

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