Fernhill Bridge contract a major milestone for Hawke’s Bay freight

The signing of the contract to strengthen the SH50 Ngaruroro River Bridge, known locally as Fernhill Bridge, marks a major milestone for Hawke’s Bay businesses and freight operators.

Transporting New Zealand Membership Manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman says the signed contract brings welcome certainty after years of restrictions, detours and extra costs for the region.

“Transporting New Zealand has pushed for a solution to Fernhill Bridge for several years. We put hard numbers around what the restrictions were costing the region, and that evidence helped build a strong case for investment. Seeing that work now translate into a signed construction contract is a really significant milestone,” Calvi-Freeman says.

Weight and speed restrictions have been in place on the bridge since October 2022. A Transporting New Zealand survey of just six local freight operators found the resulting 40-kilometre detour was costing those businesses and their customers an estimated $2.36 million a year, while generating an extra 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions through additional diesel use.

Downer will carry out the strengthening work, with construction expected to begin in October and be completed next year. The project is estimated to cost between $5 million and $10 million.

Once the work is complete, the current weight and speed restrictions will be lifted. The strengthened bridge will be able to carry higher-capacity freight vehicles, including High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) and 50MAX truck combinations. That will allow more freight to travel directly across the bridge instead of taking lengthy detours.

“This bridge is a vital freight link for one of New Zealand’s most productive primary-sector regions. Every unnecessary detour adds time, fuel and cost, and that ultimately flows through to local businesses and their customers,” Calvi-Freeman says.

“The funding announcement was a huge win, and signing the contract is the next critical step. We now want to see construction get underway and the benefits delivered as soon as possible.”

About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter-regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.

Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 93% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion. 

For more information please contact:

Lindsay Calvi-Freeman, Membership Manager, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, +64 27 556 6099 or email lindsay@transporting.nz.