Kris Croft: One down, three to go on Panmure Bridge

After 18 months of temporary works design and detailed planning it was a day to remember for the AMETI team yesterday with the first of four bridge launches completed.

There are four launch phases to reach the western abutment on the Panmure side of the Tamaki River. The result will be a 205m long bridge with two bus lanes, a cycleway and a footpath.

The first launch phase happened on Monday and Tuesday, and the bridge is now cantilevered 45m over the eastern abutment where it is stopped until the next section is adjoined. The next girder section will be delivered on Friday and the second launch is scheduled for late July.

Driven out over the river using large jacks and massive German built rollers, each jack movement inched the bridge forward by 250mm.

“It’s an awesome sight to see the bridge now parked out over the water,” AMETI Bridge Manager Jeremy Gordon says.

“No one is getting too excited just yet as there is a whole lot more work to go. However this first launch has given us all confidence that we have selected the right method and that we have made a solid start towards achieving the western abutment touchdown milestone in spring.”

Jeremy describes it as a “great team effort so far”.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge Simoné Myburgh who has energetically lead the superstructure launch from day one and also to Tony Pemberton, Jarrod Wilson, Alison Craigie, Conway Mitchell, Jason Gao and Michael Bird for their dedication and hard work in getting the bridge to this point. Additionally, thanks must go to Ash Cooper, Hugo Jackson and Nick Bamford for their ongoing support during the delivery, planning and design phases. ”

AMETI project manager James Weller described the teamwork as “exemplary”.

“During the launch the site was a quiet, well controlled example of great planning, inductions and tailgates (team meetings),” James says. “Everyone knew what to do, and the use of radios was brilliant. As issues were seen the job was stopped, discussed and resumed.”

The AMETI Project is an eight-year Auckland Transport initiative that will enable the people of East Auckland to commute by train and bus from Botany to downtown in less than 40 minutes. It is due for completion in 2025.