Waitaki District Council is pleased to report that the first of six pier caps for the replacement Kakanui Bridge have been placed this week.
This significant milestone marks a crucial step in the construction of the bridge, setting the stage for the placement of bridge beams and deck later this year.
The Kakanui Bridge, once completed, will stand higher than the current 126 year old bridge.
The pier caps are 2 metres above the temporary platform being used to drill, site and place piles and piers – the eventual bridge deck will be 1 metre higher than the pier cap.
The $11.06 million dollar project is funded 57% by NZTA and 43% by Waitaki District Council.
The new bridge will be single lane. A traffic study undertaken showed a single lane would meet the needs of the community for the future.
A second lane would have cost an additional $3 million, with that cost being entirely funded by ratepayers.
The bridge will also have a 1.5 metre wide shared walking and cycling path.
This is wider than the current path, and is equivalent to the width of the fishing platforms on the current bridge – for the full length of the bridge.
There are currently 15 square-faced cross-braced wooden piers in the Kakanui River, and slash buildup is an ongoing issue that Council pays to resolve.
The new bridge will have 6 cylindrical concrete piers with an increased height – allowing an easier river flow, even during weather events.
Deconstructing the old bridge will reduce the total piers in the river from 22 to 6, and allow construction of a new boat ramp on the west bank of the river.
The project team and contractors have worked diligently to achieve this milestone, and we are excited to see the continued progress.
The Kakanui Bridge is expected to be fully operational by the middle of 2026.