Media Release
NZ Transport Agency - Auckland Regional Office

9 September 2009

First bridge segment in place on new Newmarket Viaduct

The delivery of a new four-lane southbound bridge – Stage 1 of the Newmarket Connection: Viaduct Replacement Project - moved a step closer last night when the first segment of the bridge deck was successfully installed.

The 73 tonne segment was lifted into place by a crane at 10pm. It was transported to site earlier this week from the project’s pre-cast facility in East Tamaki. A further 42 segments will be craned into place over the next 8 weeks.

“Installing the first bridge segment is a significant step along the way to providing Auckland with a new four-lane southbound motorway, without compromising the traffic flow across the existing viaduct,” says Tommy Parker, the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland.

“This project will see us working right alongside a live motorway, with equipment as high as 20 metres in the air at times. To achieve this goal safely we are encouraging all motorists to observe the lower speed limits in place in both directions, and to drive carefully alongside this live construction zone,” he says.

The next stage of work from November will see an important piece of construction equipment erected – a 700 tonne, 140 metre long launching gantry which will be positioned high above the motorway. It will be used to install further segments of the bridge deck from January next year.

For more information on the Newmarket Connection: Viaduct Replacement project, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/newmarketconnection

ENDS

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