Hill work over: Bailey bridge removed
Contractors begin to restore the road as the Bailey bridge is removed Bailet bridge
The Bailey bridge at Eureka Bend on the Takaka Hill was removed on Tuesday this week. The one-lane bridge was installed in 2006 after a slip reduced the road width. In its place traffic now uses a newly-constructed piece of road.
The $3.4 million contract began at Waitangi weekend this year. It will be completed when the contractors re-form and reinstate the road that was under the Bailey bridge. This was expected to happen quite quickly after the removal of the bridge, weather permitting.
The work firstly involved taking away the slipped material, pinning and protecting the face below the slip to prevent further slippage. Then the contractors prepared a sound foundation about twelve metres below the existing road level. The well-compacted earth wall, which was retained by wire baskets, was then built back up to the road level. The foundations of the road next to the Bailey bridge were completed and the bridge was removed.
Dr Deborah Hume, Nelson Regional Director for NZ Transport Agency, says she is pleased that work has progressed to this point. “People travelling on SH60 have waited patiently for nearly three years to have their road back to two lanes.
“It’s good to know it will only be a matter of days after the bridge is gone before motorists will be able to travel past each other without needing to wait at the Bailey bridge,” Dr Hume said.
“We appreciate the effect this road restriction has caused people and have worked hard to stabilise Eureka Bend to protect it from further slips. It’s important to us to keep people moving on the highway for whatever their purpose, particularly in this area where there can be more vehicles on the road in holiday periods.
Neil Wilson
