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New two-lane Kawarau Falls Bridge project

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December 2018

The new Kawarau Falls Bridge in its fully completed form
The two-lane Kawarau Falls Bridge with a new wooden walking and cycling path on the southern embankment clearly visible
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March 2018

Work on the cycle and pedestrian cycle underpass at the northern end of the new bridge
Steel placement inside cycle and pedestrian underpass
The new bridge looking north toward Frankton
A view of the new bridge looking south toward Kelvin Heights
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December 2017 - opening of the first lane

Part of the crowd steps out to explore the new bridge
The latest fully electric vehicle from Hyundai and a 1926 Model T Ford were the first two vehicles to drive over the new bridge
A show of power - a Thunder Jet boat entertained the crowd with a display of speed and agility
Many of the large crowd that attended event spread across the expanse of the new bridge
Part of the crowd waiting eagerly to walk over the new bridge
Two canines and their owners check out the new bridge
1926 Model T Ford, built the same year the single lane bridge opened
Two young and eager members of the crowd make a running start in their quest to check-out the new bridge
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September 2017

Looking upstream toward the new bridge.
Work on the northern approach to the new bridge is clearly visible in this photo.
The new bridge is clearly visible with the construction trestle now removed.
An aerial view of the new bridge looking back toward Frankton.
The view of the new bridge from the northern embankment.
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August 2017

Early start for deck pour over Pier 5 on the new bridge.
Precast deck panels all installed to the northern abutment.
Preliminary works to the temporary road north bound past Kelvin Heights intersection.
Piling temporary works commence for the southern boardwalk.
The new bridge looking down stream toward the Shotover River.
A panoramic view of the new bridge site looking back toward Frankton.
An almost fully completed bridge deck edging toward the finish line on the northern embankment.
This aerial view back toward the Kelvin Heights Intersection illustrates the great progress being made on new bridge.
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May 2017

The new bridge looking upstream toward the current single lane bridge.
An aerial overhead photo showing the new bridge decking advancing toward the embankment on the Frankton side of the Kawarau River.
The two temporary construction trestles that are an integral part of building the new bridge, are clearly visible in this photo.
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April 2017

The old and the new – the two bridges side by side.
New decking is now clearly visible on several sections of the bridge structure.
The new bridge looking toward the north bank of the Kawarau River.
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March 2017

One of the 40 truckloads of steel needed to build the new bridge deck.
The bridge nose that enables the accurate placement of the girders to carry the new bridge deck.
A large section of completed decking. On the left edge of the bridge, you can see work has started on the supports that will carry the bridge barriers.
Sections of precast concrete decking that have been placed on the new bridge super structure in recent weeks.
Positioning the sections of the new bridge deck is a task that demands skill and precision.
Another section of concrete decking is manoeuvred into place. The decking reinforcing steel will be covered with concrete.
Construction crew members check the new bridge decking.
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February 2017

Two of the piers that will support the new bridge deck are clearly visible in the centre of this photo.
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January 2017

Maintaining the river and ensuring sediment doesn’t run off is an important part of construction and the white filter fabric shown in the pictures called ‘bidim’ helps protect the riverbank.
To build the Kawarau Falls River bridge a temporary bridge or ‘trestle’ needs to be constructed first.
One of construction team prepares a crane to lift a piece of equipment.
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December 2016

Pier 1 crosshead concrete formwork being erected close to the southern river bank.
New bridge alignment downstream of the southern trestle and upstream of the northern trestle.
Northern temporary trestle extending towards Pier 3, mid-river.
Southern highway approach widening under excavation.
Pier 2 pile being excavated at the end of the southern temporary trestle.
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