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Why Do We Need a Second Bridge?
The need for a second road bridge across the Ashburton River was identified in the Ashburton Transportation Study report, commissioned jointly by Ashburton District Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) in 2006.
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 progressively worsen over time as the town continues to grow. The report found 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 on 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, with the nearest alternative at Ashburton Forks, 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.
The 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, completed in February 2010, found a bridge linking Chalmers Avenue with Grove Street to be the best option and that if this was not possible a bridge linking Chalmers Avenue with Carters Terrace (eventually linking with Grahams Rd) should be the back-up alternative.
Objectives of Building a Second Bridge
The objectives of building a second bridge across the Ashburton River are to:
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Reduce local traffic on the existing Ashburton bridge and thereby ease traffic pressures on West Street/ State Highway 1 and on intersections on West Street/ State Highway 1 - less traffic congestion
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Ensure that State Highway 1 continues to take all inter-district and heavy traffic
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Provide better links between Tinwald and Ashburton for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians - quicker and more convenient
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Provide security for the Ashburton road network and State Highway by providing alternative access in the event the current bridge cannot be used
Why the Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street Option is Best
The Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street option is considered the best option because it:
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Best meets the objectives outlined above by directly connecting the east side of Tinwald to the Ashburton ring-road system at Chalmers Avenue
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Enables dispersal of traffic on both sides of the bridge through roads connecting with Chalmers Avenue and Grove Street
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Makes best use of the existing roading network, reducing construction time and costs to the community
Process From Here
A community consultation process will be undertaken beginning in mid-April. This will include:
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Open days with displays of the proposal and the opportunity for residents to ask questions and provide feedback
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Information included in the April edition of the District Diary
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Information on the Council website will be kept up to date
In the meantime Council will continue with detailed assessment of the Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street and Chalmers Avenue to Carters Terrace (eventually linking with Grahams Rd) options.
Following the consideration of community feedback Council will decide on its final preferred option and then make an application for a Notice of Requirement to secure the final route. This will again enable the community to make submissions on the final route. |
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Public Open Days
As part of the consultation on the proposed site the Ashburton District Council held three open days to provide members of the community with information on all of the site options which were considered and assessed, and to answer any questions residents had.
Council intends to hold additional public open days in the future, these will be advertised closer to the time.
Feedback Form
A feedback form is available if you would like comment on the proposed site, any other route option considered, or if you have any additional comments. Please keep sending us your views, we are happy to continue receiving these by freepost or email.
Where You Can Find Out More
Further information is provided on the links on this page. This includes:
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The Executive Summary of the “Final Issues and Options Report for a Second Bridge across the Ashburton River”
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A site map of the preferred option – Chalmers Avenue to Grove Street
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A site map of the back-up option – Chalmers Avenue to Carters Terrace (eventually linking with Grahams Rd)
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A site map of the current and forecast traffic pressure points on West Street/ State Highway 1
For further information please contact Council’s Operations Manager, Rob Rouse – 307-7749
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