New bridge improves West Coast connections

7 September 2021

The West Coast’s new Ahaura Bridge makes it easier for people and products to move around the region and improves resilience on State Highway 7 (SH7).

This 200m long, two-lane bridge replaced an old wooden bridge, one of the last single-lane bridges on SH7. It also includes a walking and cycling lane.

The new bridge, which opened in June 2021, brings benefits for Te Tai-o-Poutini | West Coast, including:

• More reliable travel times – The two-lane bridge will help keep traffic flowing more smoothly than the old single-lane bridge and makes it safer for people cycling in the area.
• Improved freight connections – this stronger, two-lane bridge helps make it easier and more efficient for Te Tai-o-Poutini | West Coast producers get their goods to market in nearby regions.
• Improved resilience – SH7 is one of two links between the Te Tai-o-Poutini | West Coast and Waitaha | Canterbury – the other is State Highway 73 Arthur’s Pass. The new bridge helps provide greater route security.

Awahono School in Grey Valley overlooked the worksite for the new bridge. The construction inspired lots of school writing and art projects. To involve the kids, in 2020 a competition was held to name the two cranes (aka Cranky and Big Boy) and drill rig (aka Rock Crusher) being used to build the bridge.

Watch a short recap of this competition:

With all of their involvement and interest, it was fitting that local children were among the first people to cross the bridge when opened.

Watch the opening event and learn more about Ahaura Bridge:

As part of the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme, $178 million will be invested on transport projects to across Te Tai-o-Poutini | West Coast.

SH7 Ahaura River Bridge replacement project
2021–24 NLTP Te Tai-o-Poutini | West Coast regional summary