The new Kopu bridge

**Chooky** · 12th December 2011, 21:53

The new Kopu bridge is open for business today.....

**Pseudonym** · 13th December 2011, 08:57

So I won’t have another angry car driver throw an apple at me as I slip past to the front?

**ckai** · 13th December 2011, 09:06

Someone do some skids on it

Apparently that's what you do with shiny new bridges (judging by the one that was put in down our road).

I had a chuckle when the opening of the bridge coincided nicely with the reduced speed limits down SH2.

"Holy shit, the bridge means traffic won't be at a stand still. EVERY ONE WILL DIE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30KM/H! I know, drop it down, because we all know it's nearly imposible to go around corners. Corners...they're bloody evil they are"

**PrincessBandit** · 13th December 2011, 09:10

Balu and I took the bandit for a blat down there to have a gawk at the new bridge a few weeks before it was due to open. Took some photos and film of it while riding over the old one. Looking good! Here's to no more 10km queues of traffic!

**nodrog:Me** · 13th December 2011, 09:40

Can you actually see the Taniwha's that are moulded in the concrete pillars underneath?

**sil3nt** · 13th December 2011, 10:01

Can you still use the old bridge?

**PrincessBandit** · 13th December 2011, 11:02

Originally Posted by sil3nt

Can you still use the old bridge?

Hehehehe, school holidays are what this is for - I'm gonna jump on the bike, go for a blat, and try to answer you question!

**pritch** · 13th December 2011, 11:44

Originally Posted by sil3nt

Can you still use the old bridge?

On the TV3 news it was reported that the bridge will eventually be open to pedestrians and cyclists only iirc.

**PrincessBandit** · 13th December 2011, 13:12

Sitting in the Pipiroa Country Kitchen having a lovely mocca coffee while waiting for my bacon and mushroom burger. New bridge is very nice, complete with Maori carvings along the sides (both ways). Had a yarn with one of the sub contractors after i took a few snaps. He said it was uncertain if the old bridge would be reopened. Felt strange heading back past the Bendon factory to turn right at the Kopu pub in order to get to the new roundabout heading to the new bridge.
ps heaps of road works thru Maramarua. Looks like stretches of double yellows are being replaced by the white diagonal median centre markings.

ps yeah, the guy I was speaking with also mentioned the possibility of the old bridge being opened for boats.

**Swoop** · 13th December 2011, 14:30

Originally Posted by pritch

On the TV3 news it was reported that the bridge will eventually be open to pedestrians and cyclists only iirc.

They also reported that the opening span of the old bridge will be pivoted fully open to allow shipping to pass through it.

**Chooky** · 13th December 2011, 16:46

For the old bridge to remain operational, the turn table will have to be kept in working order to allow boats through.... If they just leave the turn table open, the bridge is no use to anyone.

A mate and I rode our mountain bikes over it a couple of times a few days before it was closed, and
Its a rickity old thing,the railings wouldnt stop anything going over the side....Like when you pull up in the passing bays to let the cars go past,hanging onto the railings doesn't exactly fill you with confidence.

There's a footpath and cycle track on the new one, so as far as I'm concerned, they can rip the old one down....