Project overview

About this project

The Atiamuri Bridge crosses the Waikato River on the boundary between South Waikato and Taupo Districts, 39 kilometres north of Taupo.

• The new bridge has been constructed about 75 metres upstream of the current bridge.
• Project length - 2300m.
• Project construction contractors - HEB Construction Limited.
• Project consultants - Bloxam Burnett and Oliver; also New Zealand Transport Agency advisors, the Resolve Group.
• Estimated project cost $24 million. This project has been completed ahead of time and on budget.

Key stages of this project

• The NZ Transport Agency awarded the contract for the design and construction of the new Atiamuri Bridge to HEB Construction Ltd in July 2010.
• Construction got underway in November 2011.
• Project completion – June 2013 (includes removal of the old bridge).
• The new bridge opened to traffic on Monday, March 18, 2013.
• The deconstruction of the old bridge was carefully managed to minimise any impact on the surrounding environment.

[PDF, 262 KB]During construction the project team has successfully minimised any impacts on the area’s waterways and surrounding environment.  This was recognised in the middle of last year, when the project received an 'Innovative Practice' award from the Waikato Regional Council for achieving a high quality of erosion and sediment control on earthworks. This is an example of how the NZTA’s projects can be adapted to take account of extremely sensitive environments, making ongoing improvements to processes along the way.

Find out more about the environmental award – read the media release.

Why replacing the previous Atiamuri Bridge was a priority

• The Atiamuri Bridge is on SH1, which is a significant freight route with high volumes of heavy vehicles.
• It’s important to improve the flow on New Zealand’s key freight routes, because the freight task is forecast to increase by 70 to 75 percent over the next 25 years. The bulk of this increase will be carried on our roads.
• The regional and national benefits of well-performing transport corridors and projects such as this stimulate economic growth.
• The previous Atiamuri Bridge structure had a limited life. Safety concerns became a priority as traffic volumes and the number of heavier vehicles using the old bridge steadily increased over time. While the new bridge was being constructed, a speed restriction and monitoring on the old bridge ensured it remained safe for traffic to use in the meantime. The previous bridge was deconstructed during the first half of 2013.

You can view the past images of construction of the replacement bridge online - using our webcams scroll back through our timelapse videos.

Features and benefits

The completion of the new bridge will bring regional and national benefits while stimulating economic growth locally and New Zealand-wide. It will also ensure better and safer movement of people and freight between the lower North Island and the Upper North Island’s ‘golden triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga.

Other specific benefits related to the features of the replacement bridge and its associated project works are listed below.

• The bridge provides a wider carriageway of two 3.5m lanes and shoulders between 1.5m-3.5m, to improve safety, reliability and access along this section of SH1.
• The realignment of SH1 north of the bridge has removed several low speed curves and enabled the SH1/SH30 intersection to be upgraded. This means the intersection is significantly safer with improved layout and greater sight distances.
• The project also included the construction of a 1.5km northbound passing lane to improve safety and traffic flows; and reduce driver frustration.
• The shared pedestrian cycleway on the new bridge improves safety for cyclists and pedestrians. It also makes it easier for bridge users to connect to two Waikato River Trails projects (walking and cycling) on opposite sides of the river.
• The conversion of part of the existing state highway alignment into a parking area and rest area for the Waikato River Trail and replanting around other related project sections will provide two further key benefits.  It will further enhance visual appeal and the surrounding environment, which in turn will encourage people to stop and enjoy the area and fatigued drivers to take a break.

[PDF, 9.6 MB]For more details and interesting facts – download the key facts poster [PDF, 9.6 MB].