19 October 2023:

Fulton Hogan East Coast and Fulton Hogan Civil have helped to install what could be the longest-span bailey bridge in New Zealand – 71m long, with a 42m central section, and weighing 124 tonnes. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz is pictured here with little locals at its official opening, along with Fulton Hogan’s Rick Gardner and Gisborne District Council’s Darren Cocks (far left).

The single lane bridge over the Hangaroa River, west of Gisborne, replaces the Hollywood Bridge that was built in 1957 and destroyed in Cyclone Gabrielle. It was one of eight bridges in the region to be lost to the cyclone.

The bailey bridge is set approximately 1m higher than its predecessor, and the main span is 40 percent longer.

Divisional Contracting Manager, Rick Gardner, says a highlight of the $3.2 million project was the teamwork between multiple organisations; Gisborne District Council, Waka Kotahi, WSP, Fulton Hogan, Downer, Mabey and subcontractors Lattey Group, IBA Engineering, Ritchie Civil, Earth Works Solutions, Civil Project Solutions, Civil Asist, RoadNoise and C R Taylor Gisborne.

“There’s a real spirit of get stuck in, together, and the results speak for themselves,” Rick says.

At the opening, Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said rebuilt bridges were renewing connections across the community, literally and figuratively.

“After such a traumatic year, every bridge and road re-opening is a step toward recovery and healing,” she said.