Why is the bridge being widened?
The bridge is being widened on the downstream side to create a safe shared walking and cycling path. The project is part of Gisborne’s Urban Cycleways Programme, which aims to get more people on their bikes for everyday transport. The shared path on the bridge will help connect Wainui and Kaiti with the CBD.
How much is the bridge being widened by?
The bridge is being widened by 1.5 metres to create a 3 metre shared path. Pre-fabricated cantilevered concrete slabs will be put together (a bit like lego pieces) to extend the width. A new but identical (because of the bridge’s Pouhere Taonga Heritage NZ status) concrete balustrade will then be installed.
How long will the project take?
Construction on the bridge starts on 27th August 2018 and is scheduled for completion in January 2019.
What hours will works take place?
Monday–Friday between 7am and 7pm. There will be a shut-down period over Labour weekend, Christmas and New Year, where the speed will be restored to 50km per hour.
How much is the project costing and where has the funding come from?
The cost of this project is $1.8 million, which has been fully funded by the government’s Urban Cycleways Programme.
What traffic management will be in place for cars?
Between late August and January, the speed limit will be 30km per hour around the construction zone. This is likely to cause delays, and drivers should plan their journeys accordingly.
Traffic management will be removed over Labour weekend and the Christmas and New Year period, meaning the speed limit will be restored to 50km per hour.
Throughout most of the construction period, both traffic lanes on the bridge will remain open. At times the bridge will be reduced to one lane, with stop/go traffic management in place. However, this will be kept to off-peak traffic times to keep distruption to a minimum.
There are no plans to close both traffic lanes on the bridge.
What traffic management will be in place for pedestrians?
Pedestrians on the downstream side of the bridge (i.e. heading towards the CBD) will be diverted under the bridge to the upstream footpath.
What traffic management will be in place for cyclists?
The cycle lane on the downstream side of the bridge (i.e. heading towards the CBD) will be closed during the construction period. Cyclists are encouraged to use Rutene Road to cross the river via William Pettie Bridge. However, confident cyclists can remain on Wainui Road if they wish, and merge into the live lane to cross Gladstone Road Bridge. Alternatively, cyclists can dismount at Gladstone Road Bridge and follow the pedestrian detour under the bridge to the upstream footpath.
An alternative route map for cyclists is available, which guides cyclists heading towards the CBD towards Rutene Road.
Will people still be able to jump off the bridge in summer?
Not while construction takes place. Access to the downstream side of the bridge will be completely off limits to the public to ensure safety, and the upstream side will need to be kept clear for pedestrians. Once the project is complete, normal public access will be restored.
What will traffic management be like over the busy Christmas and New Year period?
There will be a shut-down period for contractors over Labour weekend and the Christmas and New Year period, meaning the speed limit will be restored to 50km per hour and workmen will be off site.
Are there any warnings for people using the river under the bridge?
Due to the current widening being carried out on Gladstone Road Bridge, the clearance underneath the bridge is being reduced by approximately 1000mm due to the installation of scaffolding platforms being supported off the bridge. Please be aware of the scaffold and the reduced clearance underneath the bridge when you are passing. Please check the height of your boat in relation to the available clearance at the time of your journey and proceed with due care when passing underneath the bridge.
And then for this question can you please change the streetlight section to the green copy.
Will there be any impacts to the parking spaces in the Reads Quay cul-de-sac?
Yes. Contractors will be using four of the parking spaces throughout the duration of the project, with an additional eight being used to create a turning bay.
How will you be taking the bridge’s Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga status into account?
The bridge, built in 1925, is listed as a Category 2 Historic Place with Heritage NZ. At the time of construction it was heralded as advanced technology and the sign of a progressive town by civic leaders, and provided an important link in State Highway 35.
The bridge’s existing street lights will also be replaced with Victorian era street lights, similar to those erected on the original bridge.
Does the bridge form part of the Tupapa Trail?
Yes. The Navigations Programme team has worked closely with Tairāwhiti Roads to incorporate the Tupapa Trail into the bridge widening project. A Tupapa Trail marker will be installed at either end of Gladstone Road Bridge, and the Tupapa logo will be sandblasted into the new concrete shared path.
