Whakawhirinaki: The Silverstream Water Bridge and Shared Path

Since completing the full bridge crossing late July, the contractor has been busy installing the deck that will carry the new bulk water pipe across the river, and the platform and rails for the shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.

The next phase of the project from early October will be finishing works on the buried pipe that connects the new Kingsley water pipe into Whakawhirinaki.

By late November, the contractor aims to be ready to start putting the new 200m long concrete-lined steel bulk water pipe in place on the bridge in one 12m section at a time.

Supports for the new bulk water pipe being installed on the new deck on the central arch

Pipe being installed on the chamber on the eastern side of the bridge 

Pipe with one of the flexible expansion joints that allow pipe movement and help protect the pipe protects pipelines from any shear caused by fault lines, structural settling and transition from one structure to another

The 100 metre long, 20 metre tall, 150 tonne centre arch of the Whakawhirinaki pipe bridge was successfully lifted into place on Friday 12 July by a 500 tonne crane.

The lift took around two hours to complete, and went off without a hitch.

It was great to see so many members of the public at the lift - but if you missed it, we made sure to capture it on video! Check it out below.

The arch was the second piece of the bridge crossing to be lifted, and was placed next to the 60 metre steel truss that had been previously installed on the west bank (check it out on the right in the photo above).

The 40m steel truss was then installed on Monday 15 July on the east bank (you can see that waiting on the bank on the left of the photo). 

With the full bridge crossing now formed the contractor has been preparing the structure for installing the water pipe and the platform for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Whakawhirinaki bridge lift is almost here...

The 100 metre long, 20 metre tall, 150 tonne centre arch of the Whakawhirinaki Silverstream pipe bridge is due to be lifted in place early tomorrow morning, by a 500 tonne crane no less!

The lift will start at around 7 am and will take a few hours to complete.

The Whakawhirinaki bridge being assembled on site, with the west truss installed on the left. 

It's the second piece of the bridge crossing to be lifted, and will be placed next to the 60 metre steel truss currently waiting on the west bank (check out the photo). A 40m steel truss will then follow on the east bank. 

It's a major event in the construction of a bridge that also connects Lower and Upper Hutt for cyclists and pedestrians. 

There is space available on the river bank to catch a glimpse of the lift within health and safety guidelines and contractor instructions.

We'll capture the moment and share this as soon as possible.

The aim is to install the full bridge crossing late next week if conditions allow - including low wind. The bridge crossing is in three parts comprising a 60m steel truss on the west bank (already installed see photo below) and a 40m steel truss on the east bank, assembled and awaiting install once the main arch is positioned.

West truss installed - left side of image

The main arch is 100m long and 20m tall and weighs over 150T and is being lifted in with a 500T crane. You can see the arch in the final phase of being assembled on the east bank of the worksite at the moment and in the image below.

Central arch being assembled on site

When ready and conditions permitting the arch will be lifted into place. This will only happen in low wind.

We will also be capturing the event on video to provide time lapse footage and will make that available online. So watch this space.

Meanwhile, people may notice the arch has lights on it at night while it sits on the bank. This is temporary and once the bridge is in place, permanent lights will be installed, a condition of the project's resource consent to protect birds from striking the structure.

Whakawhirinaki is about to take its full form across the Hutt River next month when the central arched steel span will be lifted into place by a 500-tonne crane.

The central  span is one of three sections of the bridge that have been manufactured by a Napier fabricator and pre-assembled on site.

_{Temporary towers being constructed, ready to assemble the central arch.} 

The central arched span will connect into the 60m section that was installed on  the western side of the river in April. 

_{A section of the 60m section being lifted into place in April this year.}

Once in place the final 40m truss for the eastern side will be lifted into place to complete the bridge crossing.

_{40m section assembled onsite, ready to be lifted into place following 100m arch span.}

 This huge undertaking has meant a temporary causeway is needed. It’ll be created out of the river gravel, so the massive crane can track forward while lifting the 160-tonne central arch into place.

So, what’s next? Over the coming months, crews will be focusing on putting the permanent steel deck on the arch that will provide a pedestrian and cycling pathway before installing the new pipe. Work is proceeding at pace, and we’re pleased to say it’s on track to be completed in March 2025.

The last section of the new Eastern Hutt bulk water pipe across Fergusson Drive has now been installed and the road reopened 7 June. 

A temporary seal had been laid and a permanent asphalt seal will be installed in late June.  This will be done as night works and will involve a full road closure. 

Whakawhirinaki: The Silverstream Water Bridge and Shared Path is really starting to take shape! 

In a big milestone last week, the first of three steel spans for the bridge was completed. The pre-fabricated steel spans are made by a fabricator in Napier. Over the last few months this first 40m span on the western side of Hutt River has been gradually assembled in place on the bridge.

Steel bridge span western side of Hutt River

Once the final bolts have been secured, the crew will move to the eastern side of the river and over the next few months work on assembling the 60m span for the eastern side of the bridge. The span will then be lifted into place.

The final section is the third central 120m arched span. This 155 tonne span will also be assembled on site lifted into place.

Works commence 2 April installing the last section of pipe works for the new Eastern Hutt water main across Fergusson Drive - as shown in the red circle below.   

Access through the reserve, to the car park and up to the existing road bridge will be maintained at all times.

However, the works across the road will create traffic disruption. A lane shift will be in place with a 30km speed limit. The works will take around one month to complete. While one lane will be open in each direction at all times, please expect delays and consider taking an alternative route.

The new pipeline will be connected into Whakawhirinaki mid-2025.

We are pleased with progress made over Winter on the different phases of Whakawhirinaki: The Silverstream Water Bridge and Shared Path that will carry bulk water supplies across Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River.

With Summer approaching, we are expecting to make even better progress on this major project, part of our wider work with Greater Wellington Regional Council to improve the region's drinking water network to ensure a safer, more resilient and reliable supply. This includes the Kaitoke pipe bridge project and Te Marua Water Treatment Plant capacity upgrades. 

Here is a summary of what has been happening and what to expect over the next quarter.

Eastern Hutt Watermain water pipeline renewal

Our contractor crews have completed installing the new bulk water pipe along Eastern Hutt Road through the carpark and reserve area, which will be reinstated. Meanwhile crews will return closer to the time of commissioning to install the pipework across Fergusson Drive and connect into the existing watermain.

Whakawhirinaki

We are running on schedule with constructing the pile crossheads for the bridge with the concrete for the third pile recently poured. We are planning to complete the last pile crosshead, which is the one closest to Eastern Hutt Road, before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, early in the New Year we will be starting to take delivery of the prefabricated sections of the bridge – from a Napier fabricator – assembling them on site. So, you will start to see the bridge taking shape.

Fabrication of the first two sections, the 60m truss and the network arch for the bridge, is underway now and we’re expecting the 60m truss to arrive on site early next year.

Manor Park Golf Course Pipeline

The pipeline in the Manor Park Golf Course just had the first scour pipe installed, which needed to cross both the fourth and seventh fairways.

The next scour pipeline is to be installed straight after and will cross the fifth and sixth fairways. Contractors are doing their best to get these two smaller scour pipes installed as quickly as possible to minimise disruption to the golf course.

Construction of the large diameter steel pipeline will continue into November and December past the sixth fairway and tee box.

Meanwhile, work will continue throughout November and December at the seventh fairway where the pipeline connects to the existing cross connection underneath State Highway 2. This is a critical connection and therefore testing needs to be completed before the pipework is connected.

Just to recap, Whakawhirinaki: The Silverstream Water Bridge and Shared Path will carry bulk water supplies across Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River as well as providing a new bridge for cyclists and walkers. 

The project is part of our wider work with Greater Wellington Regional Council to improve the region's drinking water network to ensure a safer, more resilient and reliable supply. This includes the Kaitoke pipe bridge project and Te Marua Water Treatment Plant capacity upgrades. 

Here's an overview (download PDF here)

Aerial view of full worksite

We’ve now completed work on  the Kingsley Watermain Replacement, renewing bulk water pipes from the Kingsley Water Pump Station to connect to Whakawhirinaki.

Since construction of the new bridge (Phase 4) started in March, contractor Brian Perry Civil has completed the foundations for the new steel bridge, which go up to 24m deep underground.

Two of the columns for Pier 4 on the eastern side that will support the bridge

The crew is also now well underway with building the concrete sub-structure for the bridge and will work through to complete that by the end of the year/early 2024.

Concrete superstructure underway (left of image)

Work has also resumed on installing new pipes under Manor Park Golf Course that will connect to Whakawhirinaki and to the bulk water pipe that carries water under SH2 to Porirua and Wellington. Again, the crew will be working through to complete that, including reinstating the golf course by the end of the year.

New pipe installation at Manor Park Golf Course

Meanwhile, all the steel for the new bridge has arrived at the fabricator’s workshop where it is being built in sections, that will then be delivered and assembled on site. This is expected to start happening mid-2024.

All this work links in with the Kingsley Watermain Replacement project which has recently been completed, replacing bulk water pipes from the Kingsley Water Pump Station to connect to Whakawhirinaki.

Construction of Whakawhirinaki: The Silverstream Water Bridge and Shared Path, carrying
bulk water supplies across Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River has begun.

A karakia and naming ceremony led by Taranaki Whanui was held at dawn on March 7, 2023 to bless the project and name the new bridge.

Mana Whenua Taranaki Whanui Chair Kura Moeahu said the name Whakawhirinaki means ‘to lean against something, trust in something, depend on or rely on’.

“Whirinaki is also the original name of the region, so by naming this bridge Whakawhirinaki we are saying we trust in it and rely on it given the huge responsibility it has to carry our regions water through Hutt Valley and Waiwhetu to its final destination.”

View media release here

Kingsley Water Main Replacement Project - Construction of the Reynolds Bach Drive stream crossing pipeline has been completed, with the reinstatement of the road barrier now underway. Construction of the pipe connections to the Hulls Creek aerial pipeline is planned to take place in January/February.

Eastern Hutt Road Watermain Renewal Project - Work on the pipe crossing for Fergusson Drive is on schedule to begin in early 2023 with planning for the construction across the road underway. We will be working hard to minimise traffic disruption and will communicate any road layout changes ahead of time. 

Manor Park Pipeline Project  - Contractors have been making good progress with trench digging and pipe laying work and have successfully installed 320m of the 730m pipeline. 

Silverstream Pipe Bridge -  Work is set to begin early in 2023 beginning with piling. Once works are underway there will be some diversions in place on parts of the River Trail to ensure trail user and worker safety. These will be well communicated and sign-posted ahead of time. 

Manor Park Pipeline Project

Contractors have been making good progress with trench digging and pipe laying work and have successfully installed 250m of the 730m pipeline. Construction will progress into first week of December before reinstatement work gets underway. Reinstatement will be in 2 phases with temporary reinstatement to allow the summer golf season to take place before final reinstatement at the end of 2023. 

Some of the bulk water pipeline being installed at Manor Park Golf Course.

Eastern Hutt Road Pipeline Project

The scour pipeline has been installed (for pipe flushing to remove sediment/maintenance), with installation of the outlet at the river and reinstatement work to be carried out in early 2023.

Work on the pipe crossing for Fergusson Drive is on schedule to begin in early 2023. Planning for the construction across the road is underway.

Kingsley Water Main Replacement Project

Construction of the Reynolds Bach Drive stream crossing pipeline has been completed, with reinstatement of the road barrier to be undertaken in December.

 Work related to the Kingsley Main on Eastern Hutt Road will be completed by the end of November with construction of the pipe connections to the Hulls Creek aerial pipeline planned to take place in December/January.

It’s been another busy month on the ground for the project team and contractors as we prepare for more major works to take place.

Manor Park Pipeline project 

• Work on the Manor Park Pipeline Project will start this week to begin laying new pipes under Manor Park Golf Course before constructing the new bridge over Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River in early 2023. Work on site will include digging trenches, laying steel pipes as well as vegetation clearance around the alignment of the bridge at the edge of the river side, piling, earthworks, and other construction activities in preparation for work starting on the Silverstream Pipe Bridge in early 2023.
• The Manor Park Golf Sanctuary will continue regular operations, with some temporary adjustment of playing areas, however all playing holes of the course remaining open during construction.
• Hours of work will generally be 7am-5pm Monday to Friday with some weekend work as required.
• To ensure the safety of everyone there will be times when river and river trail access will be restricted – but we will advise if there are any changes/diversions and these will be well sign posted.

Eastern Hutt Road 

• We are in progress constructing 3 manholes in the reserve roadway next to the public toilets.
• Work on the pipe crossing for Fergusson Drive will commence in early 2023. This will be a trenchless construction method to maintain full traffic flow along this key roading arterial into Upper Hutt. 

Kingsley water main replacement 

• The Hulls Creek aerial pipe crossing was successfully craned into place the first week of September, a major milestone for the project.
• There will be ongoing work along Eastern Hutt Road connecting the underground pipework to the new Hulls Creek aerial pipeline. This will involve some temporary traffic management to allow more working area in the roadside berm.

Last Thursday, Wellington Water and Brian Perry Civil officially signed off the next stage to begin work on the Silverstream Pipe Bridge project. 

(For any questions regarding the project, you can contact Brian Perry Civil (contractor) on 027 345 1993.)

COLIN CRAMPTON (RIGHT), CE AT WELLINGTON WATER AND BLAIR MOULD (LEFT), SOUTHERN REGIONAL MANAGER AT BRIAN PERRY CIVIL, SIGN THE SILVERSTREAM PIPE BRIDGE CONTRACT.

Work will start in the coming months, beginning with laying new pipes under Manor Park Golf Course before starting construction on the new bridge in early 2023.

This innovative new pipe bridge will replace the ageing watermain that is currently attached to the Silverstream road bridge along Fergusson Drive and SH2.

This piece of water infrastructure is vital for Wellington as it supplies drinking water to all of Porirua City, Stokes Valley and 40% of Wellington City.

The current watermain is in poor condition, and is in an extremely difficult location to access for repairs. With the new pipe bridge, we are increasing the seismic resilience of our drinking water network, and protecting our water supply in the event of an earthquake.

Not only will the new bridge carry the watermain, but it will also feature a shared path for cyclist and pedestrian access across Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River.

Investments like this are key to improving the resilience of our region’s infrastructure and we look forward to seeing this project get underway.

Progress on the Eastern Hutt Road pipeline is well underway (a project connected to the Silverstream pipe bridge project - see March update below)

The Hutt River trail and carpark will remain open to the public.

There will be temporary disruption to the entry of the carpark, however clear signage is in place to guide you where to go.

The Silverstream Pipe Bridge project funding was approved by Greater Wellington Regional Council last week. The Silverstream Pipe Bridge will replace the ageing bulk water main, which supplies treated drinking water to all of Porirua City and 40% of Wellington City. The current water main is in poor condition, and sits below SH2, which makes accessing it for repairs extremely tricky.

This innovative new replacement will increase the seismic resilience of our drinking water network, and will protect our water supply in the event of an earthquake. 

The pipe is being built to fit along the bridge, with room for a cycleway, which will cross over te Awa Kairangi.

There are three related drinking water network projects in the vicinity.

• The Silverstream Pipe Bridge project (shown as grey on the below map) – the consent processing is nearing completion
• The Kingsley watermain renewal (shown as purple) – Work here is well under way with works on hold for the next two months for the piling and stream crossing works to be done.    
• The Eastern Hutt Road watermain renewal (shown as blue) – consent is granted for this section of pipeline, the construction work is being carried out by Wellington Pipelines.

Public submissions are now open on the consent application for the Silverstream Pipe Bridge. Make your submission online through Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Following analysis of the ground samples we have taken to date, some further investigation of rock characteristics are required to inform the design. This will require an inclined bore hole on the true right of the river bank as indicated below. Crews are planning to start this work at the end of September and will be on site for up to three weeks.

Alert Level 3

This project is critical and essential and will start up under Alert Level 3. All of the necessary safety precautions will be followed, including the use of PPE. 

Revised date of completion is 15 October 2021.

We aim to provide regular updates about the project and what's happening on site.

Watch this video

Yesterday, we gathered at Hull's Creek in Silverstream to bless the site where this exciting project is about to get underway on te Awa Kairangi (the Hutt River). We were honoured to have mātua Kura Moeahu, from Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o Te Ika, lead the blessing for us.

Thank you to Upper Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington and Hutt City Council for your continued support with this project, as together we look to improve the resilience of the network for the customers.

Here's a look at what's happening on site during May.

We are nearing the end of the detailed design phase for the Silverstream pipe bridge. 

On 10 May, crews completed a survey of the pipe route through Manor Park golf course, particularly looking at the areas where the pipe borders the KiwiRail embankment.

Geotechnical surveys involving drilling boreholes are also planned for May and possibly June - this work helps us understand the characteristics of the land supporting our design and planning. Here's a map of outlining the planned boreholes.