Replacing single lane bridges

**crazyhorse** · 27th January 2010, 14:35

Originally Posted by yungatart

I regularly travel this road...I don't see the one lane bridges as an issue at all. The traffic volume is not particularly high, really. I think I have only had to give way about half a dozen times in many years of using this road.
It all comes down to being aware, I guess.....

There have been days when I have travelled down this road and had about 6 milk tankers ahead of me and heaps of traffic. Especially after Christmas. Maybe it depends on time of day travelled. But I could count the cars on one occassion and it would've exceeded a huge number - and no! not because I travel at speed, but because I was travelling a consistent pace and the cars were bumper to bumper that day

**Mully** · 27th January 2010, 14:39

Isn't there a thing in the RMA that "Like can be replaced with like" with less hassle/cost?

That would mean they would have to consult with the locals, Iwi, DOC, and so on to build a bigger (2 lane) bridge, wouldn't it?

And given NZ is a country of NIMBYs, a bridge replacement could end up costing many time the budget.

**Skyryder** · 27th January 2010, 18:26

Originally Posted by Ocean1

And traffic control was a train timetable nailed to the bridge.

Did wonders for literacy and numercy.

Nothing much for NZR's reputation for making the trains run on time though.

Then they went and spoiled it by putting red stop lights on them.

Yep and the train whislte did not help.

**Okey Dokey** · 27th January 2010, 18:30

I'm not sure the RMA applies to Transit? Someone here undoubtably will know more than I do about this . Consultation was already being done- that is how I made my submission to the original suggestion of a one-lane bridge. I still think it is the correct decision in this day and age.

**Skyryder** · 27th January 2010, 18:31

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

NZ Transit is undertaking to replace two old single lane bridges across the Waitaki River with two new single lane bridges. These are near Kurow, and connect SH 82 and SH 83.

I was quite surprised that anything other than a two lane bridge would be installed in this day and age. On their website, NZ Transit say they consider single lane bridges sufficient, due to low traffic volume and the extra cost involved in building a two lane bridge.

What do other kbers think about this in general? Our roading infrastructure always seems so patched up and short-sighted. Do you think it is okay to put up new single lane bridges on State Highways? Has this happened recently in other provincial areas, like the West Coast?

I'm interested in your views.

Typical short sightedness. They will regret this when 'Yodney' does his amalgamation thing down here and traffic volumes increase.

Skyryder

**Okey Dokey** · 27th January 2010, 18:36

I have to agree with you there; I feel sorry that the whole Supercity concept is being forced on people. Especially the outlying rural-ish areas who have asked repeatedly to opt out. Is this democracy?

**Mully** · 27th January 2010, 18:52

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

I'm not sure the RMA applies to Transit?

You're clearly not familiar with the taniwha (ahem) which forced the Waikato Expressway to be delayed and rerouted.

**Padmei** · 27th January 2010, 19:06

I had a head on accident about 10 years ago on a one lane bridge. It was MY fault -going too fast for the conditions (other contributing factors as well). I could've killed my 2 work colleagues & the driver of the other car. Up until that point in time I didn't really have a problem with them and regarded them, as someone previously posted, as a quaint part of our road engineering history. Since then they give me the shits especially if I'm not driving & the driver is going over 5kph!
I questioned after that why go to effort of making a bridge 1m narrower to save a few pennies.
I welcome the decision to upgrade the bridges to 2 lanes & hope the ones on the main highway to Chch are the first to be replaced.

**Okey Dokey** · 27th January 2010, 19:56

Thanks, Padmei, and sorry to hear of your crash. I know you would like to see the ones on SH1 sorted, but the ones over the Waitaki are ancient, paved over railway bridges that have buckled when the river is flowing strongly. Coach buses have refused to go over them for years due to safety concerns (for a while they actually made passengers get off the buses and walk across, then drove the bus over and let them get back on!)

They are going to be closed for a week in Feb, 7am-7pm while maintenance is done replacing planks, etc. Same thing happened a year ago. Locals can cross on the hour only during this time. This is not an "upgrade", this is a long neglected fixing of a serious problem.

**Chooky** · 27th January 2010, 21:29

Yer, they are replacing our one. Its 80 years old, 470 meters long, carries heaps of traffic, but has no weight or speed restrictions on it..

Click image for larger version.

Name: 3.11.09.jpg
Views: 21
Size: 373.7 KB
ID: 192965

**Okey Dokey** · 28th January 2010, 07:48

Originally Posted by Mully

You're clearly not familiar with the taniwha (ahem) which forced the Waikato Expressway to be delayed and rerouted.

Oops, I had forgotten all about that!

**oldrider** · 28th January 2010, 08:22

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

NZ Transit is undertaking to replace two old single lane bridges across the Waitaki River with two new single lane bridges. These are near Kurow, and connect SH 82 and SH 83.

I was quite surprised that anything other than a two lane bridge would be installed in this day and age. On their website, NZ Transit say they consider single lane bridges sufficient, due to low traffic volume and the extra cost involved in building a two lane bridge.

What do other kbers think about this in general? Our roading infrastructure always seems so patched up and short-sighted. Do you think it is okay to put up new single lane bridges on State Highways? Has this happened recently in other provincial areas, like the West Coast?

I'm interested in your views.

I was as dismayed as you appear to have been, when I read that press release!

Single lane bridges at major junction's, how short sighted can you get!

With respect, I doubt idb has used that bridge enough lately to appreciate just how much heavy traffic goes through there!

I think that will increase substantially with a new two lane bridge, once it is open for traffic, especially at night!

Had project Aqua gone ahead (Aqua was stopped by lack of foundation material, rather than protest action) the bridges would have been replaced by the project and at Meridian Energie's (customers) expence!

**PrincessBandit** · 28th January 2010, 08:55

Originally Posted by Chooky

Yer, they are replacing our one. Its 80 years old, 470 meters long, carries heaps of traffic, but has no weight or speed restrictions on it..

Yeah the amount of traffic on that bridge is phenomenal at times and a replacement 2 lane is loooooooong overdue. I even hated traveling over it when I was a kid living in Thames, and recently when Balu and I trekked down to Matatoki on the bikes there was a huuuuuuge black humpy thing right in the middle of the lane as you approach the Thames end exit. However that is one bridge where traffic volume alone makes 2 lanes essential. I can't speak for other examples down in the quiet south....

**Okey Dokey** · 10th February 2011, 11:03

ALERT!!! These bridges are currently CLOSED due to damage from recent high water levels in the Waitaki river. They are not likely to reopen until the middle of next week. Pedestrians only are allowed to cross between 6am and 10 pm. If you are coming over the Haka Pass your nearest fuel is now in Glenavy or Waimate, approximately 71 km away.

**oldrider** · 10th February 2011, 12:20

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

ALERT!!! These bridges are currently CLOSED due to damage from recent high water levels in the Waitaki river. They are not likely to reopen until the middle of next week. Pedestrians only are allowed to cross between 6am and 10 pm. If you are coming over the Haka Pass your nearest fuel is now in Glenavy or Waimate, approximately 71 km away.

Bloody big inconvenience that should have been attended to years ago!

They couldn't find solid foundation to build Aqua on, I hope they can find some for the bridge!

That's the problem they are facing with the current "old" bridges, the piles (foundations) are failing!

Long way for you to go for an ice-cream now Okey Dokey!