| 39 T T Karen Phelps Crucial bridge work on major route The Bridge 16 Midland Line Pier and Abutment replacement involves the replacing of both abutments and two piers on either side of the bridge. Kiwirail & Isaac Group: Midland Line REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT KiwiRail’s Bridge 16 Midland Line Pier and Abutment replacement project will bring resilience to one of the major freight routes in the South Island, which carries passengers, coal, milk and other freight. The bridge is on the Midland Line, which connects Christchurch to Greymouth and was built in 1892. The units of the bridge being replaced were installed long after this date.The Bridge is approximately 188 metres long and 40 metres high and the single tracked bridge spans over the Patterson’s Creek, northwest of Springfield. KiwiRail has indicated that it is critical that the route is maintained for freight and passengers’ safety. For the long-term benefit to the region locally and nationally it is vital the freight route remains open. A state-owned enterprise, KiwiRail own and maintain the national rail network infrastructure. It is responsible for almost 4000 km of track, 1500 level crossing used by the public and more than 1300 bridges and 100 tunnels The entire KiwiRail network has stringent codes and compliance for its assets, which include regulatory inspections of all bridges and assets. This allows KiwiRail to pre plan what replacement or remedial action needs to be taken. The Bridge 16 Midland Line Pier and Abutment replacement involve the replacing of both abutments and two piers on either side of the bridge. The project has a 10-month construction program timeframe and the construction includes piling, pre casting, heavy lifting and rail works. KiwiRail has indicated that in terms of scope – the project is straightforward and part of business as usual. However the environment that these works are undertaken in has added complexity to the project with the contractor working in a ‘live’ rail environment, and precautions are required to mitigate the risk of trains passing through the work site. The contractor is also working at heights, and in an extreme environment. The site itself is in a very large steep remote gully, so the contractor must take all of these into account when planning and designing works, which include large plant and cranes. As KiwiRail relies heavily on its contractors to be able to maintain its network and do so in a safe manner, one of KiwiRail’s four core values is ‘Care and Protect’ and there are a number of things it does to encourage a proactive approach to safety in general and on projects such as this. Being a remote location with access required through some properties liaising closely with the community has also been important. KiwiRail has stated: “We thank people for their patience as this work is completed. All in all this is a challenging project in a beautiful part of the South Island. We look forward to its completion, which will offer the Midland Line resilience.” PILING / DRILLING / HEAVY HAULAGE / PLANT & EQUIPMENT HIRE / 0800 SPIRAL / 0800 PILING / WWW.SPIRALDRILLERS.CO.NZ INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMERCIAL A D RESIDENTIAL PILING SPECIALISTS / WW .SPIRAL ILLERS.CO.NZ / 0800SPIRAL Congrats on another great project. Supporting Kiwirail & Isaac Group since forever The leading contract mining and earthmoving organisation in the South Island of New Zealand. •Contract Mining • Plant Hire • Mine Rehabilitation • Drill and Blast •Civil Engineering •Road Haulage MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 03 732 7033 | admin@rosco.net.nz | 2667 SH7, RD1, Reefton We have a large fleet of wholly owned modern equipment focused on reputable brands. Most of our plant fleet is available for hire either wet including operators and fuel, or dry for both short term and long term hire periods.
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