Giant viaduct gantry builds over Broadway

Giant viaduct gantry builds over Broadway

The Newmarket Connection: Viaduct Replacement Project has stepped up a gear, with the 'Big Blue' construction gantry now directly over Broadway.

At 140 metres long, towering 20 metres above the existing Newmarket Viaduct and weighing in at over 800 tonnes, the blue gantry is as visible as it is effective.

"By using this specialist equipment, rather than constructing entirely by conventional crane, we are able to work more efficiently and keep the motorway open in both directions throughout the replacement process. Importantly it will help us to construct stage one of the project - the new four-lane southbound motorway bridge - fast enough to increase capacity in time for the Rugby World Cup,” says Tommy Parker, the New Zealand Transport Agency's State Highways Manager for Auckland & Northland.

The new southbound bridge should be operational by as early as October this year, however only three lanes will initially be opened to traffic. This will allow for dismantling work to begin on the old southbound bridge immediately adjacent. The fourth lane across the new bridge will open in February 2011, to tie in with the motorway expansion from Market Road that will see southbound capacity enhanced as far as Greenlane.

“It is all going incredibly well when you consider this is nearly a quarter of a billion dollar project and 160,000 cars cross the viaduct every day. Disruption has been minimal and NZTA’s communication has been exemplary,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

The $215m project is due to be completed in its entirety by late 2012. It will ultimately create a wider, stronger, safer and more sustainable new Newmarket Viaduct, standing 13 metres to the northeast of the current structure.

“The new viaduct will be great for that end of Broadway, as it will facilitate and encourage more commercial development. What’s more, the signalised pedestrian crossing which is being installed outside the post office will provide Newmarket with a big safety improvement. It’s all good for the business community beneath,” says Mr Brewer.

The Newmarket Connection project’s Communications Manager, Gez Johns, is now calling on Newmarket businesses to be part of a special open day the project team is hosting on Sunday 16 May.

“We hope that some of the activities we have planned and the opportunity to find out more about the project will encourage the local community and people from all around Auckland to come into Newmarket that day. Therefore I’ll be talking to local businesses about how we can work together to promote Newmarket and encourage repeat visits,” says Mr Johns.

For more information call Gez Johns on freephone 0508 CONNECT (266 6328).

ENDS

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