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Papamoa’s first dedicated tsunami escape bridges are expected to be available for use by the end of the financial year in June.
Tenders for the construction of the first three bridges in eastern Papamoa are expected to be called for later this month or early March with construction expected to start in April.
This map shows the inundation zone of a tsunami along the Mount Maunganui and Papamoa coastline with rings showing the audible zone of the proposed siren alert system.
“I suspect they will be starting closer to Easter,” says the Tauranga City Council’s transport operations manager, Martin Parkes.
“We have some additional funding in the next financial year and we will be looking to do at least another three.”
The bridges will provide pedestrian access across the drain that lies parallel to Papamoa’s shoreline residential development and open country.
“It’s really to get people across the drain there, to get them away from the coastal area as quickly as possible,” says Martin.
“We are looking at three metres wide to try and maximise the number of pedestrians we are able to evacuate.
“We don’t want them too wide because we don’t want vehicles driving across them.
“They won’t be strong enough to take vehicles – three metres is ideal for people on foot and on bikes.”
There will be pedestrian links to the escape bridges from the Papamoa side, but for now the bridges will provide access onto the open country between Papamoa east, and the Tauranga Eastern Link highway construction site.
“All that area is going to be developed in time, but it’s really giving people the opportunity to get away from that coastal area as quick as possible,” says Martin.
The council’s tsunami awareness was focused by the Japan tsunami of March 11, leading to the granting of funding for the bridges and to dusting off plans for a system of tsunami warning sirens.
Proposals on the sirens project have been called for with a report to be delivered at the council meeting on February 20.
There are about 20 road and foot bridges across the drain between Arataki and eastern Papamoa, says Martin.
“There are quite a few opportunities for people to get away quickly.
“We will be doing some signage once we sort out our evacuation plan, but people should have their own plans anyway, and that’s the key message.
“Do a bit of homework to know where these access points are.”
Posted on 15-02-2012 12:22 | By Surfwatch
Its about time that people should start taking responsibility for themselves. Natural disasters are not the fault of Government Local or National. Have your own plan of escape, always be vigilant of earthquakes and their potential for damage and tsunami. If the council can make it a little easier, all the better.