Media Release
 
30 April 2013
 
River Closing Intermittently As Bridge Takes Shape
 
Dramatic developments at Whangarei’s Lower Hatea River Crossing will see the bridge’s distinct ‘hook’ like form taking shape in the next two weeks.
 
Roading Manager Jeffrey Devine said the lifting platform or 'bascule’ for the bridge arrived in eight parts that had been in the process of being linked to­gether, welded and painted over the past few months.
 
“At the moment the bascule is sitting on the Port Road side of the bridge, getting ready to be launched into place across the gap between both sides of the bridge.
 
“In the next week or so we will be at­taching the weighted j-beam ‘arms’ to the rest of the bascule, the pieces that will move visibly along with the platform as the bascule rises and falls, opening and closing the bridge,” Mr Devine said.
 
“The j-beams are made of steel, and their tips are filled with steel ballast that will enable gravity to take some of the load as the bridge opens and shuts.
 
“Once the j-beams are in place we will be hooking up the hydraulics that will lift the platform, carrying out testing and finishing all the other parts of the project before the opening late in July. "
 
Mr Devine said the river would be closed for periods between 13 May and 26 June while work is completed.
 
“We will be giving people lots of notice, working with the marine user groups, advising businesses along the Raumanga Stream and Hatea River, and making an­nouncements on Maritime Radio.
 
“We will also be advising people us­ing the river to contact the Low­er Hatea Bridge Control on VHF Channel 09, or Mobile number +64 21 401 752 or land line +64 9 438 7261 before travelling through the area.”

ENDS

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