Lower Hatea Crossing, New Zealand Bridge

Lower Hatea Bridge, NZ River Crossing, New Zealand, Architect, Photographs

Lower Hatea River Crossing : NZ Bridge

Contemporary New Zealand Bridge design by Knight Architects

6 Dec 2011

Design: Knight Architects

Location: north of Auckland, North Island

Lower Hatea Crossing, New Zealand Bridge

Lower Hatea River Crossing in Whangarei

Work began this week on the construction of the Lower Hatea River Crossing in Whangarei, New Zealand with a Maori blessing of the site. The NZ $29m (US $22m) project is part of a package to address congestion in the main city in Northland and will be funded 50/50 by Whangarei District Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Lower Hatea River Crossing Lower Hatea River Crossing Lower Hatea River Crossing
images from Knight Architects

The bridge comprises a 265 metre long viaduct with a 25m opening section and more than 1.5km of approach roads over geotechnically challenging ground. Initial earth works will begin to pre-load the site of the bridge on both sides of the harbour and construction will continue through to mid 2013.

Procured through a competitive ECI process, Whangarei District Council awarded the contract to a McConnell Dowell / Transfield Services joint venture in May 2011. The winning design concept by Knight Architects is modelled on the traditional Maori fish hook and the distinctive curved steel structure rolls backwards to raise the bridge deck, allowing yachts passage to and from the inner harbour.

Structural engineering and geotechnical design on the landmark structure, the first bascule bridge in New Zealand for fifty years, is by lead consultant Peters & Cheung and mechanical and hydraulic engineering is by Eadon Consulting. Highway design is by Whangarei consultant Northern Civil and architectural lighting is by UK specialists Speirs + Major.

Lower Hatea River Crossing images / information from Knight Architects

Knight Architects : www.knightarchitects.co.uk

Speirs & Major

Location: Whangarei, New Zealand

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Comments / photos for the Lower Hatea River Crossing design by Knight Architects page welcome