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Why do we need a second bridge?
Over the years the local community has raised concerns regarding the existing bridge and State Highway 1 with respect to:
- Safety issues for traffic turning right onto the state highway from east Tinwald
- Route security – when the existing bridge is closed for any reason this can cause considerable delays
- The life of the existing bridge and its ability to carry more traffic with the predicted future growth in Tinwald and Lake Hood
- Traffic congestion at intersections with the state highway and intersections north and south of the existing bridge
- Pedestrian and cyclists issues
The Ashburton Transportation Study 2008 commissioned jointly by New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)(formerly Transit New Zealand) and the Ashburton District Council confirmed the above issues and concerns and concluded that a second road bridge across the Ashburton River would be more beneficial for local traffic than inter-district traffic.
The study found there are already significant traffic pressure points resulting from traffic crossing the bridge, primarily in the evening peak traffic period and that these pressure points would become progressively worse over time as the town continues to grow. The study confirmed that a significant proportion of traffic crossing the bridge was local traffic travelling to and from work, schools, the town centre, recreation and transporting goods in and around Ashburton.
Relieving pressure on West Street/ State Highway 1 and at intersections connecting to that road can only be achieved by providing an alternative route between Tinwald and Ashburton for local traffic to use.
The study also found Ashburton was vulnerable should the current bridge be unable to be used, the nearest alternative being at Ashburton Forks which is a detour of around 60 km. The current bridge was found to have some deficiencies in terms of the quality of its foundations that put it at risk in the event of a significant earthquake or flood.
Objectives of building a second bridge
The objectives of building a second bridge across the Ashburton River are to:
- Ensure that State Highway 1 continues to take all inter-district and heavy traffic
- Provide security for the Ashburton road network and state highway by providing alternative access in the event the current bridge cannot be used
- Improve road safety
- Improve connectivity within the Ashburton urban area
The second bridge proposal
The proposal to construct a second bridge was included in Council’s Long-Term Council Community Plan 2009-19, with construction budgeted to begin in 2017/ 18.
Following confirmation of the project in Council’s Long-Term Council Community Plan 2009-19, a technical assessment was undertaken to identify the best site for the bridge. This assessment was completed in February 2010 with 13 possible sites being identified and evaluated.
As a result of this work Council identified that a bridge linking Chalmers Avenue with Grove Street to be the best option and that if this was not possible, a bridge from Chalmers Avenue to the rural area east of Tinwald should be the back-up alternative. These options were identified to provide the community with an indication of the sites that Council considered most effectively met the site selection criteria and addressed the issues and concerns raised by the community.
A copy of the assessment entitled “Final Issues and Options Report for a Second Bridge across the Ashburton River” can be viewed and downloaded from this webpage – please refer to the background documents section on this page.
Why the Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street option is preferred
The Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street option is the preferred option because it:
- Connects the larger eastern part of Tinwald with a ring route incorporating Chalmers Avenue, Walnut Avenue and Oak Grove and provides good access to the CBD and hospital.
- Means Tinwald residents will not need to turn right onto SH 1 when driving to Ashburton.
- Enables dispersal of traffic on both sides of the bridge through roads connecting with Chalmers Avenue and Grove Street.
- Makes best use of the existing roading network, reducing construction time and costs to the community.
- Is totally independent from the existing bridge.
- Will serve future growth in the Tinwald and Lake Hood areas.
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The community consultation process so far
A community consultation process commenced in mid-April 2010. This included:
- A public meeting to outline the options being considered
- Public open days held in April with displays of the proposal and the opportunity for residents to ask questions and provide feedback
- Information was included in the April edition of the District Diary
- The Council webpage containing information along with copies of reports, maps and diagrams was established
Further detailed investigation work to be carried out in 2010
In May 2010 and after receiving community feedback, Council approved additional investigation work to be carried out. The results of the work will assist in the decision making process and ensure the final location best meets the community requirements.
This work is to include:
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1. Roading and bridge locations, costing and impacts for the following:
· Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street
· Chalmers Avenue to east of Tinwald
· Melcombe Street
· Two bypass options – one in the rural area to the east of Tinwald and the other on the eastern boundary of the urban area
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2. Possible impacts on Tinwald School
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3. A social impact assessment
Where to from here?
Along with the additional work listed above:
· A community reference group has been established (July 2010) to act as a sounding board for information relating to the second bridge and provide a means of direct stakeholder and community input into the project. This group will meet several times from July 2010 to May 2011.
· Newsletters will be distributed to provide information to the community as the investigation work progresses.
· Further public open days will be held to provide the community with the results of the investigation work.
· Feedback from the community will be invited and received by Council.
· Council will consider the results of the additional investigation work and community feedback.
The further detailed investigation work, public open days and community feedback is programmed to be completed by April/May 2011.
The community will have opportunity to be involved in the formal land designation stage of the project (Notice of Requirement), and during other statutory processes such as the preparation of the Annual Plan. This will enable the community to make submissions on the final route.
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Public Open Days
When the additional investigation work has been completed, Council intends to hold further public open days to provide the community with the results of that work. These open days will provide the community with an opportunity to view and discuss the information provided on the sites considered. The dates of these open days will be advertised closer to the time on this website, in the local newspapers and in the community newsletters which will be distributed in the Courier newspaper. At this stage it is anticipated that they will be held in November/December 2010.
Feedback Form
A feedback form is available if you would like comment on any of the options considered, or if you have any additional comments. Please keep sending us your views, we are happy to continue receiving these.
Find Out More
There are links below which will provide you with more detailed information. These include:
- The entire “Final Issues and Options Report for a Second Bridge across the Ashburton River”
- A site map of the Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street option
- A site map of the back-up option – Chalmers Avenue to Carters Terrace (eventually linking with Grahams Rd)
- A site map of all 13 options considered
- The site selection assessment criteria
- A site map of the current and forecast traffic pressure points on West Street/ State Highway 1
- Concept design for bypass options, one in the rural area to the east of Tinwald and one on the eastern boundary of the urban area.
- Various traffic flow diagrams
Community Newsletters
A series of community newsletters will be published starting in August 2010. These newsletters will provide information to the community as the further investigation work progresses. They will be distributed to all residents within the Ashburton district via the Courier newspaper as well as being available at the Council offices and Ashburton Library. Each newsletter can also be viewed/downloaded from the following link:
· Newsletter No. 1 – August 2010
Background Documents
The “Final Issues and Options Report for a Second Bridge across the Ashburton River” document is available to read as a desk copy (cannot be taken away) at the Council offices and at the Ashburton Library. Or you can read or download the document yourself by clicking on the links below:
All sections of the “Final Issues and Options Report for a Second Bridge across the Ashburton River” report
· Executive Summary
· Map of all options considered
· Final Issues and Options Report
· Appendix A, B, C
· Appendix D, E, F
· Appendix G - Preliminary Option Assessment
· Appendix H, I
· Appendix J - Drawings Page 1
· Appendix J - Drawings Page 2
· Appendix J - Drawings Page 3
· Appendix J - Drawings Page 4
· Appendix K
Site location maps
· Map of the preferred option – Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street
· Map of backup option – Chalmers Avenue to east of Tinwald
· Map of all 13 options originally considered
· Concept bypass options
Other documents of interest
· Site selection criteria
· Road network pressure points
· Media Release 17 March 2010
· Ashburton Second Bridge feedback form
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Traffic count and traffic flow diagrams
· Vehicle counts (15 February 2006)
· NZTA traffic counts (link to NZTA website)
· Map of existing traffic flows
· Map of estimated traffic flows with a second bridge
· Map of estimated traffic flows in 2026 (with a second bridge)
For further information please email: info@adc.govt.nz or contact Council’s Operations Manager, Rob Rouse – 307-7700
Updated: 13 September 2010
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