McLaren Falls Pedestrian Bridge
June 1, 2012
Project Client
Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Project Objectives
In 2011, long-standing safety concerns about the shared-use, single-lane bridge across the picturesque McLaren Falls prompted the McLaren Falls Environmental Enhancement Group to push for an alternate pedestrian crossing. The sound of the falls made it difficult for pedestrians to hear vehicles’ approach, and as the sole crossing in such a popular spot, the existing bridge presented an unacceptable risk to pedestrian use.
A budget of half a million dollars was estimated during conceptual design due to the nature of the site, and WBOPDC tentatively allocated that amount to the project. Few proposals met both the brief and the budget until our team at Tiaki Engineering Consultants, in association with Bridge It NZ, offered our design solution.
The TECL/BINZ solution, an attractive cable-stayed suspension bridge, was offered at a tender price of just over half the estimated cost.
Project Outcomes
The geometry of our design and its lightweight structure is both complementary to the older bridge and visually unobtrusive to the rest of the park. The bridge and linkages now allow for a much safer crossing of the falls for pedestrians, who no longer have to compete with vehicles on a shared-use bridge. The open central viewing area also allows a new, accessible perspective on these treasured waterfalls.
All of this was achieved with significantly less funding than was originally expected by WBOPDC.
Donald Richardson
Project Manager / Director (CPEng)
Project Details
| Project name: | McLaren Falls Pedestrian Bridge |
| Client: | Western Bay of Plenty District Council |
| Location: | McLaren Falls, Lower Kaimai |
| Structure: | 33 m Cable-Stayed Bridge |
| Completed: | August 2014 |
| Estimated Project Budget: | $500,000 |
| Tendered Project Budget: | $265,000 |
| Stakeholders: | WBOPDC and the Visiting Public |
| Project Partners: | Bridge It NZ |
| Key Considerations: | Environment, Aesthetics, Installation |
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Our breadth of specialised knowledge has allowed us to provide and oversee unique and practical design solutions for a wide range of projects across the North Island, and as far as Scott Base, Antarctica.
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Email TECL directly and we’ll forward your enquiry to the most appropriate person.