Bertrand Road Historic Suspension Bridge restoration
Location
Waitara, North Taranaki
Client
New Plymouth District Council
Services provided by Frame Group
Asset Assessments
Detailed Design and Engineering
Consents Management
Construction Management
Partners
Chris Cochrane – Conservation Architect
Whitaker Civil Engineering – Construction Contractor
The Bertrand Road Suspension Bridge was originally built in 1897. It was later rebuilt in 1927 after the bridge was dismantled in the 1920’s due to flood damage. The Bertrand Road bridge provided safe access across the Waitara River. Over time, as the bridge deteriorated, height and weight restrictions were imposed to extend its life. The bridge was eventually declared unsafe, and was closed to vehicular traffic in 1985, and closed to foot traffic in 2004, pending total removal.
A trust was set up to restore the bridge, with a community fundraising scheme. This included a “buy a plank” initiative, where a donation saw a donor’s name engraved on each deck plank on the bridge.
Frame Group assisted conservation architect Chris Cochrane in preparation of a conservation plan and methodology for restoring this unique suspension bridge. The local community raised $630,000 for the restoration work, which was designed, specified and managed by Frame Group as engineer to contract. The bridge is open again for pedestrians and light vehicles, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy this remnant of heritage engineering from our pioneering era.
Today the bridge is open again for pedestrians allowing locals and visitors to enjoy this remnant of heritage engineering from our pioneering era.
