Hollywood Bridge

JOB DETAILS

Hollywood Bridge on Bushy Knoll Road was destroyed during Cyclone Gabrielle. A temporary solution had been installed but was prone to overtopping during heavy rainfall, prompting the need for a more secure crossing across the Hangaroa River. The new solution needed to be longer, higher and more resilient than the original bridge. 

THE CHALLENGE

The existing bridge was destroyed during Cyclone Gabrielle, when the Hangaroa River became a raging torrent and scoured under the foundations of the bridge, causing the bridge to collapse. The proposed site for the replacement bridge, immediately adjacent to where the existing bridge had been, was somewhat constrained, with limited space either side of the river to build and launch a Mabey Bridge effectively. 

THE SOLUTION

Mabey Hire NZ Limited, WSP and Waka Kotahi worked together with the client Gisborne District Council to design a 71m Mabey Bridge, 4.20m wide. There are two abutments and two piers, all out of the normal waterway, creating a 3-span configuration. The new central span crossing the river is 40% longer than the original bridge central span and is set 2m higher than the original bridge. Restraints have been supplied on the bridge which will prevent any uplift during heavy rain events and will limit movement during seismic events. The Mabey bridge superstructure was built in 10 days by Downer with the assistance of two site advisors supplied by Mabey Hire NZ Limited and Acrow Global Limited.

This Mabey Bridge design and construction was a collaborative effort across many organisations – Gisborne District Council, Waka Kotahi, WSP, Fulton Hogan, Downer and Mabey Hire NZ Limited, with subcontractors Lattey Group, IBA Engineering, Ritchie Civil, Earthwork Solutions, CPS Civil Project Solutions, Civil Assist, RoadNoise and C R Taylor Gisborne. The project cost is $3.2 million.