Overnight bridge spans SH29A

The main spans for the Poike overbridge on SH29A were successfully lifted into place overnight Saturday by HEB Construction Ltd. The lifts included the 30 metre, 90 tonne span across the highway, plus two 9m spans linking the piers to the embankments.

Construction of the overbridge is expected to be completed this month, while construction of the shared footpath will take another three months, with completion planned for January 2017.


The New bridge in place today. Photo: Andrew Campbell.

The $1.8 million project will see a 46 metre-long bridge and a 3 metre wide shared footpath and cycle path on the southern side of State Highway 29A between the bridge at the roundabout, and Ila Park.

'The overbridge will connect Ohauiti with Waiariki Bay of Plenty campus, opening up opportunities for walking and cycling,” says BOP MP Todd Muller.

'A two kilometre long shared path will link the overbridge with established and planned cycling projects also being built along the eastern side of State Highway 29A, this will enable people to more safely walk and bike around the city.”

The Poike overbridge re-connects the Welcome Bay and Poike communities which have been separated since the highway was put through, says Todd. The overbridge addresses the increasing demand from pedestrians and cyclists to cross the state highway.


Delivered overnight, one bridge. Photo: Andrew Campbell

'It will massively improve safety. The long term goal is to link key centres, schools and areas of employment with a network of shared paths to make it safer and easier for people to walk and bike around our region,” says Todd.

'This project is part of a multimillion dollar plan to connect the Bay of Plenty with a series of cycling and walking paths. Over the next decade alone an estimated $15 million will be spent to help reach this goal.

'Getting more people cycling and walking will relieve congestion, connect people with a greater range of employment, education and social opportunities and contribute to a more environmentally sustainable future for our fast growing region's transport network.”

SH29A from the Welcome Bay roundabout to Poike roundabout was closed from 7pm Saturday until 7am today while the lifts took place.


NZTA's picture of how the finished project will look. Photo: Supplied.

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3 comments

NO ONE PLANS AHEAD LIVE 4THE DAY ?

Posted on 02-10-2016 17:13 | By ROCCO

Agreed it looks good but who paid out the $1.8m for this project (seems cheap?) The size of it tells me it should have been 5metres wide and also accommodated "POLY" motorcycles and light vehicles as could have kept them off the Highway between say 8am and 6pm.Money could well have been better spent on 4 laning the Hairini Bridge !!!


I sure hope..

Posted on 02-10-2016 20:50 | By GreertonBoy

They are going to put good protection from drivers running into the support posts? If a decent size vehicle takes out either leg, the whole thing will be on the road... some of the drivers around here.... they better do it quick smart .... looks good tho.


Good work

Posted on 03-10-2016 09:17 | By Chris

Great project delivered with astonishing efficiency. This area of Tauranga has felt "cut off" for a long time, so this path is very welcome. Unsurprised to see the usual suspects and their weak criticisms under this article.


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