Resilient Design in a Challenging Landscape

OCTOBER 2025

Otange Bridge

Resilient design and sustainable construction

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Following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, Lattey Group was engaged by Tararua Alliance to design and construct a replacement crossing at Otanga, where a culvert had been crushed by a landslide.

The site, located at the base of a steep valley, is subject to ongoing hillside movement posing significant engineering challenges. Lattey Group proposed a resilient bridge solution to restore access across the river.

The design incorporated heavy wall casings to withstand lateral loads from future landslides while allowing debris to pass around the piles, minimising obstruction, and long-term maintenance risks.

The bridge was constructed using recycled steel bridge beams and precast concrete decks manufactured at our Hastings Precast facility. This approach not only delivered a robust and cost-effective structure but also demonstrated our commitment to sustainable construction through smart reuse and local production.

Thanks to the precision of our prefabricated components and the efficiency of our civil team, the bridge was installed in under three weeks, a testament to the value of integrated design, manufacturing, and delivery.