Recent Projects: Wairewa Canal Bridge at Birdlings Flat
Formfour was contracted by the Wairewa Rūnanga to build the bridge over Wairewa Canal at Birdling’s Flat, Canterbury.
The bridge connects Birdlings Flat with Bossu Road and means there is now 4WD vehicle access across the beach for local residents and visitors, regardless of whether or not the lake is open to the sea.
Until the bridge was completed, residents and visitors to the area had to rely on a gravel causeway, which was periodically opened in order manage the lake levels. A joint resource consent granted by Environment Canterbury allows the Christchurch City Council and the Rūnanga to manage the lake openings.
This project required significant environmental care be taken to maintain the delicate ecosystem at Birdling’s Flat.
We formed a temporary road across the beach by placing rubber mats. This allowed access to the site, while at the same time minimising the impact to the beach area. Following the completion of the bridge, the road was removed, and the area completely restored to the initial state.
The bridge construction utilised Stahlton Double Tee bridge beams and abutments, set on piles into the rock underneath Birdlings Flat.
Take a look at our video below for the full story.
Recent Projects: Hurunui District Council Bridges at Glenmark.
We recently completed a pair of bridges for the Hurunui District Council in North Canterbury. These bridges presented their own challenges, notably allowing the continued movement of traffic including stock trucks.
This was a bridge replacement, which required the removal of the timber deck, cleaning and reconstruction of the abutments, and replacement with precast concrete decks. As usual, environmental concerns were paramount, and we utilised several strategies to assure the safety of the surroundings were preserved.
Please stop by again. Thank you for your interest!
