Two-way traffic finally on bridge

Queenstown resident Mike Legge leads the public charge across the second lane of the Kawarau Falls Bridge. Photos: Tracey Roxburgh

At 1.46pm yesterday, a procession of cars led by a grand old Packard set out on a historic drive over the long-awaited Kawarau Falls Bridge, marking the first time the bridge had carried two-way traffic.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult, his wife Karen, NZ Transport Agency regional relationships director Jim Harland and McConnell Dowell New Zealand and Pacific managing director Fraser Wyllie were officially the first to drive across the newly opened second lane, in a 1932 Packard V12 loaned to Mr Boult for the occasion by Robert Duncan, of Wanaka.

Following the Packard was a stream of cars containing local residents keen to mark the occasion, led by Mike Legge, of Queenstown.

Looking on yesterday was June Thompson, whose father, Charlie Hansen, helped build the historic Kawarau Bridge, opened in 1926 - the year Mrs Thompson was born.

She was accompanied by her daughter, Kathleen Mann, and carer Elaine Wells.

During the official opening, Mr Harland said although the bridge had taken two and a-half years to build, "it took a lot longer to plan it".

It was built to withstand a one-in-2500-year earthquake and Mr Harland quipped should such a huge quake occur "it's probably the safest place to be in Queenstown".

The $22million bridge provided a critical link between communities on either side, along with tourists and residents travelling further afield.

It was part of wider transport improvement plans for the Wakatipu, which involved the NZTA, the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Otago Regional Council and Queenstown Airport Corporation.

While there was still "a little bit of work to be finished" both lanes of the bridge were now permanently open, he said.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult drives a 1932 Packard V12 across the bridge accompanied by his wife, Karen, NZ transport Agency regional relationships director Jim Harland (obscured, back left) and McConnell Dowell New Zealand and Pacific general manager Fraser Wyllie.

NZTA senior project manager Phil Dowsett told the Otago Daily Times there would be "periods of time" when traffic control measures, for example temporary speed limits, were in place on the southern side of the bridge "while people are working close to the edge of the road" on landscaping.

During the opening, Mr Wyllie said the project was technically challenging and required innovative thinking.

One example was a "bridge launch method" which enabled two-thirds of the bridge to be constructed on the southern bank.

The 250m long, 14m wide bridge required 2000cu m of concrete, 11,000 tonnes of steel and many man-hours.

Mr Boult recalled talk of a two-lane bridge when he and his wife moved to the resort in 1982.

"It's taken 36 years to get here [but] good things come to those who wait."

Queenstown resident Jun Thompson (front), whose father helped to build the old bridge, was the guest of honour at the official opening, accompanied by Elaine Wells (back, left) and her daughter, Kathleen Mann, both of Queenstown.

However, he said it was now time to start planning for the future to ensure the required infrastructure was in place ahead of time.

He encouraged the NZTA to "start planning for the second crossing before this one gets too far down the track".

Mr Harland told the ODT given the residential developments between Kelvin Heights and Jacks Point and the ever-increasing tourism numbers, traffic numbers would also continue to increase on State Highway 6.

"It is foreseeable that there could be a need for another link. The most likely place for that would be further downstream in the general area of Boyd Rd."

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