We maintain New Zealand's civil emergency bridging stock – Bailey bridges. The Bailey bridge ‘kit set’ systems are ideal for use in emergency situations (such as when bridges collapse or are washed out) and as temporary structures for planned events such as roading projects and movie shoots.

Developed by the British during the Second World War, Bailey bridges remain a cost-effective system, being versatile and relatively quick and easy to build and dismantle. With a basic component of a 3-metre-long truss panel, they can be configured to provide much longer spans and cater for a wide range of loads.

Need a Bailey bridge?

We offer a complete Bailey bridge design, build, maintenance and transport service for contractors, roading agencies and private contractors.  Contact us for more information about the Bailey bridge service and charges.

If you need the service urgently, please contact Nigel Lloyd on  021 729 341 .

Why use a Bailey bridge?

Bailey bridges have been used around the world for the past 70 years for uses such as:

• replacing collapsed bridges (between 3-metres and 200-metres long)

• restoring access to roads washed out in storms

• providing cost-effective temporary structures for roading projects

• providing minor stream crossings for movie locations and other non-emergency situations.

Bailey bridge service: before

Bailey bridge service: after

How long does it take to put up?

A standard bridge (30-metres long, single span) can be assembled within a week. Longer-span bridges may take longer owing to the need to build piers to support them.

Watch a video of a Bailey bridge installation at Danseys Pass, Waitaki District.

How does the Bailey bridge service work?

We have extensive experience in Bailey bridge design, construction, maintenance, dismantling and transportation. This means we can offer a prompt, efficient service at short notice – especially in emergencies - and provide a wide range of Bailey bridge options.

How much does it cost?

All hirers are required to pay for Bailey bridge transport, construction and dismantling, monthly hire and inspections. The service is run on a not-for-profit basis, with hire charges used to pay for the components' storage and maintenance. Local authorities needing to use Bailey bridges on public roads in emergencies can apply to us for financial help.

We operate a standard agreement with all hirers.

Read the hire agreement

For more information

Read our Bailey bridge service factsheet

Contact us for more information about the Bailey bridge service and charges.

In emergencies

Call Nigel Lloyd at the NZ Transport Agency on 021 729 341. If Nigel is not available, please call:

• John Reynolds, NZ Transport Agency on 03 964 2811 or 021 223 5715

• James Paston,John Patten, Downer on 06 835 5789 or 027 232 5946447 0221 (North Island only)

• David Jackways,Daniel Helm, Downer on 027 404 1653807 8065 (South Island only) .

The Road Efficiency Group (REG) was formed in 2012 on the recommendation of the Road Maintenance Task Force. It is a collaborative project between local government and the NZ Transport Agency.The Road Efficiency Group (REG) is a collaborative initiative by the road controlling authorities of New Zealand. Its goals are to drive value for money and improve performance in maintenance, operations and renewals throughout the country.

Its aim is to create and embed a new national funding and activity management structure for roads (the One Network Road Classification); and improve value-for-money, customer focus, consistency, collaboration, and quality in road activity management.Since the formation of REG in 2012, considerable progress has been made on a number of projects aimed at sharing perspectives and knowledge to identify opportunities to improve performance and reduce costs.

REG is a legacy project. It is intended that the tools and functions developed by REG will be administered by other agencies after 2018.REG was nominated by the government to carry out the recommendations of the broader Road Maintenance Task Force .

REG members volunteer their time and come from rural, provincial and metropolitan local authorities, Local Government NZ, and the NZ Transport Agency. Membership revolves annually, and those wishing to be involved should contactroadefficiencygroup@nzta.govt.nz

A governance group and a leadership group oversee the project; the Programme Manager is Andrew McKillop (NZ Transport Agency). Four subgroups develop and deliver the tools and resources needed to help Road Controlling Authorities meet the requirements of the ONRC.  A group of regional champions support RCA staff.

Governance Group
Jim Harland (NZTA) – Chair
Craig Thew (Hastings District Council)
Dave Brash (NZTA)
Jim Palmer (Waimakariri District Council)
Malcolm Alexander (Local Government NZ)
Tony McCartney (Auckland Transport)
Niclas Johansson (NZTA)

Leadership Group
Rui Leitao – Chair
Andrew McKillop (NZTA)
Chris Gregory (Christchurch City Council)
Dawn Inglis (Waipa District Council)
David Darwin (NZTA)
Dennis Lewis (Taupo District Council)
Garry McGraw (Far North District Council)
Jamie McPherson (Tasman District Council)
Julie Muir (Central Otago District Council)
Mark Yaxley (NZTA)
Martin Taylor (Whakatane District Council)
Steven Finlay (Local Government NZ)

Regional Champions
Alison Tomlinson (Queenstown Lakes District Council)
Anna Percy (Auckland City Council)
Carolyn Copeland (South Taranaki District Council)
Chris Pawson (Nelson City Council)
Dawn Inglis (Waipa District Council)
Garry McGraw (Far North District Council)
Leanne Kernot (Hutt City Council)
Martin Taylor (Whakatane District Council)
Michael Jacobson (Christchurch City Council)
Yvonne Warnaar (Waimakariri District Council)

One Network Road Classification (ONRC) sub group
Julie Muir (Central Otago District Council) – Chair
David Darwin (NZTA)
Mark Yaxley (NZTA)
Siri Rangamuwa (Auckland Transport)

Data sub group
Dawn Inglis (Waipa District Council) – Chair
Gordon Hart (NZTA)
Jag Pannu (Hastings District Council)
Matt Hendry (NZTA)
Michelle Cousins (NZTA)
Tony Lange (NZTA)

Capability and Enabling sub group
Martin Taylor (Whakatane District Council) – Chair
Adam Bevins (Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia)
Erik Barnes (Local Government NZ)
Lynley Hutton (NZTA)
Michael Jacobson (Christchurch City Council)

Procurement sub group
Jamie McPherson (Tasman District Council) - Chair
Bernie Cuttance (NZTA)
Jack Hansby (NZTA)
Phil Harrison (Civil Contractors NZ)
Rui Leitao (Whanganui District Council)

 

View case studies – projects

View case studies – AMPs

One of the three key areas of focus for the Road Efficiency Group is best practice asset management.  

A number of reviews, including the recent Road Maintenance Task Force, point to potential efficiency gains from sector-wide use of high-quality asset management advice and mechanisms for continuously improving practice.

While good guidance and practice exists in New Zealand, implementation is inconsistent and knowledge is not shared across the sector.

In order to harness and promote the existing body of good asset management practices, the Road Efficiency Group has established a dynamic representative working group, made up of representatives from eight road controlling authorities. Membership of the group will be cycled annually, with new members joining to replace outgoing members on an ongoing basis. They’re working collaboratively to identify and encourage best practice asset management planning among road controlling authorities.

The best practice asset management working group – our aim

View larger diagram

We'll look to identify, apply and refine existing asset management guidance and practices. This will lead to better overall performance by:

• identifying existing best practices that should be taken up by industry

• promoting adoption of these practices throughout the sector through sharing of case study learnings

• highlighting gaps in best practice guidance to existing industry bodies.

Using existing guidance, member organisations will develop examples of best practice asset management plans (AMPs) and deliver these in a manner that fosters consistency of application across New Zealand. These AMPs will:

• assist asset management planners operating in urban, provincial and rural environments

• build on the best practice guidance currently provided by the industry ie RIMS, Austroads, NAMS

• be demonstrated through asset management approaches and plans of organisations participating in this working group.

We'll identify and document examples of best practice in asset management plans. This will provide the sector with proven examples that road controlling authorities can have confidence in (these endorsed examples will deliver efficiency and performance improvements).

Related resources

• Presentation: The UK Highway Maintenance Efficiency Programme – Matthew Lugg OBE
• Interview with Matthew Lugg 
• Visit the UK Highway Maintenance Efficiency Programme website
• RIMS Body of Knowledge

• Staying Safe – guidelines for organisations developing a refresher workshop for senior road users 
• Staying Safe – guidelines for facilitators running a refresher workshop for senior road users  
• Staying Safe – DVD discussion document  

Workshop modules and worksheets

Keeping safe: thinking about your safety

Being safe: driving skills

Safe journeys: managing road situations

Keep moving safely: alternatives to driving

Other downloadable resources

Through its Research Programme, the NZ Transport Agency invests in innovative and relevant research which plays a critical role in contributing to the government's goals for transport.

The results of Transport Agency research must be readily applicable to interventions that can be cost effectively applied in New Zealand in the short-to-medium term for longer term impacts. This page lists all active Transport Agency Research Programme research projects and being updated on an ongoing basis as research is completed.

For further information, you can either:

• search for reports of completed projects
• view an index of all the online reports on one page
• download a detailed spreadsheet of the published reports .

Key research areas

The projects listed below are currently active. They are arranged according to seven key research areas, namely:

• Economic development
• Activity management
• Integrated land use and transport systems
• Transport demand management
• Safety, security and public health
• Environmental impacts of land transport
• Sustainable land transport
• Performance monitoring

Proposed research topics

This  document lists the research topics proposed for 2016/17 Research Programme  (please note that the topics may be added, deleted or changed). 

Contact

For information on any of these projects, please contact the research organisation directly or email  research@nzta.govt.nz .

Economic development

To improve the valuation of economic benefits of land transport activities.

Activity management

To improve the performance of land transport activities and assets.

Integrated land use and transport systems

To more efficiently manage transport and integration with land use.

Transport demand management

To manage the people and freight demand for transport and provide impetus for changing transport choices.

Safety, security and public health

To improve the safety, security and public health of users, communities and the sector workforce through improvements to the land transport system.

Environmental impacts of land transport

To measure the impacts of land transport construction, operation and maintenance emissions/pollutants on the natural and built environment.

Sustainable land transport

To improve the sustainability of the land transport system.

Performance monitoring

The preferred option is to create a new two-lane bridge to the west of the existing bridge for vehicular traffic with pedestrians and cyclists using the existing bridge.

As part of our investigations, we developed a long list of all possible options to address the two problems. Thirteen separate options were investigated and assessed, including a do-nothing option, using a variety of criteria. You can read more about all of the options and the detailed analysis in the ‘Consideration of Options’ Report

Taking into account all of the information investigated to date, including stakeholder, iwi, and affected landowner feedback, the preferred option is to build a new 10.8m wide bridge. This will operate as a full two-lane highway and cater for on-road cyclists with a 1.5m wide shoulder on each side.

We expect to keep the existing bridge and will continue to investigate its future use as a pedestrian and cycle only facility.

A western alignment (upstream) has the least impact on surrounding properties, provides better pedestrian and cyclist access, and requires less property acquisition.

This option resolves the identified problems and meets all criteria for vehicular traffic.

It is estimated to cost between $14 and $17.5 million.

Benefits of investment

The specific benefits of investing to address the Opawa Bridge’s identified problems (including weightings) are:

• Benefit 1 (70%): Increased throughput of freight and light vehicles and greater certainty of state highway journey
• Benefit 2 (30%): Greater structural resilience to natural hazard events, resulting in increased availability and access.

What have we done to date?

Last year the NZ Transport Agency launched an investigation of the Wairau and Opawa Bridges to improve travel on State Highway 1 north of Blenheim. The investigation of these bridges was identified as part of the Government’s Accelerated Regional Roading Package, which provided funding to progress a selection of regionally important state highway projects to address economic efficiency, safety, and resilience issues on our regional transport networks.

We considered strengthening, replacing or duplicating both bridges. Following an earlier investigation, the Wairau Bridge was found to be in serviceable condition. It has been certified to carry heavier vehicles and can be effectively maintained. Replacement of this bridge may be considered in the future. The Opawa Bridge, however, was identified for replacement. Upgrading it is a high priority for the Marlborough District Council and residents.

From 11 May to 9 June we asked for feedback from the community on the proposal. We received more than 170 feedback forms and met with about 90 residents during two public information sessions in Blenheim. The feedback is being collated, analysed, and will contribute to a revised proposal.

What are the problems and benefits?

Early investigation of the Opawa Bridge confirmed it is too narrow for some vehicles, large freight vehicles in particular. We have also learned the bridge is vulnerable in an earthquake and is susceptible to damage from heavy floods.

At the heart of our investigation work is our key objective to keep people and goods moving along State Highway 1 between Blenheim and Picton. We want to:

• make journey times more reliable
• make sure freight moves efficiently
• make the region more resilient to natural disasters and
• support State Highway 1 as a strategic freight route between Picton and Christchurch.

The specific benefits of investing to address the Opawa Bridge’s identified problems (including weightings) are:

• Benefit 1 (70%): Increased throughput of freight and light vehicles and greater certainty of state highway journey
• Benefit 2 (30%): Greater structural resilience to natural hazard events, resulting in increased availability and access.

Were other options considered for the investigation?

Yes, as part of our investigations, we developed a long list of all possible options to address the two problems. Thirteen separate options were investigated and assessed, including a do-nothing option, using a variety of criteria. You can read more about all of the options and the detailed analysis in the  ‘Consideration of Options’ Report

How will public feedback be used from engagement on the PBC?

We will refine the preferred bridge replacement proposal, taking on board the feedback received.

What will the bridge look like?

We are asking for your feedback now on what elements you’d like us to consider in the new bridge structure or design so we can include them in our planning. We expect to share draft drawings of the bridge once designs have been prepared so the community can contribute to its appearance.

Will there be further opportunities to be involved in the project?

Yes, on the bridge design we expect to share draft drawings of the bridge once designs have been prepared so the community can contribute to its appearance.

State of the Existing bridge

The Opawa River Bridge was designed in 1912 and opened in 1917. It is located on State Highway 1 between Picton and Blenheim on the northern edge of Blenheim. The bridge is a Heritage NZ Category 1 heritage place, indicating a place of outstanding significance. It is also a legacy structure, being the first of its kind (concrete bowstring) constructed in New Zealand.

As part of our earlier investigation, we have identified two problems with the State Highway 1 Opawa Bridge and the traffic flow over it:

Problem one: The bridge is too narrow

At 5.49m wide between kerbs, the bridge does not meet today’s requirements, particularly for heavy commercial vehicles.

When large vehicles cross the bridge, they become a hazard, particularly if they cross the centre line. Many opposing vehicles must slow down or stop because they cannot pass, causing frequent delays and uncertain travel times.

Also, long traffic flows trail behind large freight trucks that travel along State Highway 1 heading to or departing from the interisland ferries. This adds to congestion on the bridge, making journey times unreliable.

Problem two: The bridge has poor structural resilience

The bridge’s structure would not be adequately able to withstand a significant earthquake. Its structure could be affected as a result of shaking or liquefaction that could cause the bridge piers, or the entire structure, to collapse. Also, the bridge is vulnerable to significant flooding events as floodwater could undermine the bridge’s central pier and cause partial bridge collapse.

Given the importance of the bridge to the transport network, we need to ensure we can keep this route open.

The bridge spans 170m and carries 9,800 vehicles/day. It serves many functions in the region today, though it has changed little over its 100-year life. It:

• is a protected heritage item under the Wairau / Awatere Resource Management Plan
• is listed as a category 1 historic place by Heritage New Zealand
• is an important local gateway to Blenheim
• carries a considerable amount of inter-regional traffic. This is because Marlborough is an export-focussed producer of primary products
• is a key cycle route with plans underway to extend an off-road cycle path that serves as a transport corridor for local access between Spring Creek and Blenheim. This is something the Marlborough District Council, the Transport Agency, and Government (through its urban cycleway fund) are investing in.

We appreciate that the road and bridge are integral to the larger Picton to Christchurch state highway network. Some people have expressed an interest in building a bypass route to the east. This is a separate issue. We need to replace the Opawa Bridge now in order to address its identified problems, particularly as the majority of its current users will continue to use it to access central Blenheim from the north.

A bypass remains a future option, and will be considered as part of a separate investigation of State Highway 1 between Picton and Blenheim.

In these videos, we explain why motorists driving on Christchurch’s Northern Motorway during peak times are part of the solution in easing congestion and reducing delays. We are asking motorists to be patient and adopt good driving behaviours. Think about your driving at on-ramps - remember to merge like a zip, consider the impacts of rat-running and then slowing traffic by entering from a side road or why you should obey the variable speed signs – apart from the fact these speeds are the law and legally enforceable.

We are also asking all motorists to think about what opportunities exist for them  to carpool take the bus, change their hours of work or work from home to avoid peak-hour travel on the motorway. Even if it is just one or two days a week every little change that motorists can make will help to ease the problem. 

Using On-Ramps

Driver Behaviour

Variable Speed Limits 

Side Road Access

The NZ Transport Agency is building two new highways to the north of Christchurch – the Western Corridor and Northern Arterial.  These will help ease congestion and provide motorists with more predictable journey times, particularly during the morning peak.

Western Corridor

Northern Aterial

Motorway Planning

Addressing Congestion

Crews will start working on the road at around 7.00pm after the evening peak traffic has lessened. From Monday 20 June, crews will switch to working during the day, outside of both the morning and evening peak hours.

'We have appreciated the patience of New Plymouth motorists over the course of the Vickers to City upgrade and we ask for their continued support and patience over the next two weeks. We are now moving into the final phase, which sees the older sections of road being repaired and resurfaced. This will eliminate the difference between the old and new sections of the road, and make the journey much smoother,' Ross I’Anson, Acting Highways Manager, NZ Transport Agency says.

'To keep both the road crew and motorists safe, while crews are working, there will be a temporary speed limit of 30 km/h,' Mr I’Anson says.

If motorists or residents have any concerns about the road works, they can call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS/ 0800 44 44 49.

REG members volunteer their time and come from rural, provincial and metropolitan local authorities, Local Government NZ, and the NZ Transport Agency. Membership revolves annually, and those wishing to be involved shouldREG members volunteer their time and come from rural, provincial and metropolitan local authorities, Local Government NZ, and the NZ Transport Agency. Membership revolves annually, and those wishing to be involved should contactcontact usroadefficiencygroup@nzta.govt.nz.

A governance group and a leadership group oversee the project; the Programme Manager is Andrew McKillop (NZ Transport Agency). Four subgroups develop and deliver the tools and resources needed to help Road Controlling Authorities meet the requirements of the One Network Road Classification.  A group of regional champions support RCA staff.

REG operating structure diagram

Overview

This overview accompanies, and sets in context, the public consultation (yellow) draft of Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods Amendment 2016 (Rule 45001/4). 

The proposed amendment Rule will require drivers or operators of vehicles carrying dangerous goods to comply with any sign that indicates a restriction or prohibition on the transport of dangerous goods on a specified section of road.  

If you wish to comment on this draft Rule, please see the page headed ‘Making a submission’. The deadline for submissions is  5pm, MondayFriday 20 June 2016.

Consultation on proposed Rule changes

The purpose of this publication is to consult on proposed changes to Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (the Dangerous Goods Rule).

Consultation on the proposed changes is being carried out to ensure that legislation is sound and robust and that the Rules development process takes account of the views of, and the impact on, people affected by proposed Rule changes.

This publication, for your comment, has two parts:

(a)      an overview, which sets proposed Rule changes in context; and

(b)     the consultation (yellow) draft of Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods Amendment [2016] (45001/4)  (‘the draft amendment Rule’). 

Please read the overview carefully and consider the effects that the proposed Rule and regulation changes would have on you or your organisation.

The draft amendment Rule sets out only the proposed Rule changes and should be read together with Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (the Dangerous Goods Rule). If you do not have a copy of the Dangerous Goods Rule, please read the information in Publication and availability of Rules (page 18) about obtaining Rules. To assist in setting the proposed changes in context, the web versions of the Dangerous Goods Rule and the draft amendment Rule documents are linked.

Consultation documents

• Draft Rule
• Overview
• Questions and answers

The two intersections are:

• State Highway 1 at Andersons Bay / SH1 near The Oval – Monday night through to Tuesday morning
• State Highway 88 (Port Chalmers highway) Anzac Ave/ St Andrew St, adjacent to the Railway level crossing – Tuesday night through to Wednesday morning.

'The work will take place from 8 pm, 20 and 21 June, until 6 am the next day, to avoid the peak hours for most people,' said Ian Duncan, Transport Agency Southern Business Unit Manager. “There will be short delays. We ask all road users to please slow down and take care near crews.

'The new units replace old technology and they will provide better reliability for road users.'

The Transport Agency’s Downer team will be doing these two projects, costing around $40,000.

While the traffic signals are out of action, drivers should expect to see manual traffic controls (Stop/ Go) at these intersections. 

The State highway annual plan instructions manual  (SM018) gives guidance to regional offices, contractors and consultants around what is expected in their annual plan submission for the financial year in question and the dates for which various submissions are due. 

The manual outlines how forward works programs for pavement renewals and maintenance should be put together, as well as all other work categories within highway maintenance and operations. The Capital Instructions gives guidance and dates for applying for capital projects including Minor Improvements and Resilience projects.

Guidance around NPV analysis, drainage works, and treatment prioritisation are provided as well as a review of the previous year’s RAPT (review and prioritisation team) findings.

The State highway maintenance contract proforma manual (SM032) is a manual for use by the NZ Transport Agency when preparing state highway tender documents for maintenance contracts. It contains the Transport Agency's Highways and Network Operations physical works maintenance tender documents for the Network Outcomes Contract.

Relevant documents

Annual plan

• State highway annual plan instructions manual (SM018)
• NPV instructions - 2017/18
• NPV template 2017/18
• NPV template 2017/18 example
• Prioritisation process - 2016/17
• Annual plan adjustment guide
• Request for annual plan adjustment form
• Working with funding adjustments in InfoHub
• Deferral monitoring form
• 2015 National pavement condition report
• Economic evaluation manual
• State highway maintenance contract proforma manual (SM032)
• State highway plan 2016/17 (draft)

Minor improvements / enhanced resilience

• SM018 Capital instructions - 2017/18
• Project impact estimation 2017/18
• Minor improvements template
• Minor resilience application form (<$300k)
• Resilience improvement application form (>$300k)
• Price level adjustment form
• Small project application
• Example of good Enhanced Resilience Application - SH73SH72

For further information contact SM018@nzta.govt.nz .

Work is nearly complete on the SH3, Vickers to City upgrade and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) are planning a celebration to say thank you to the local community for their input into the project and their patience while work has been taking place.

This project began in 2008, when a joint strategic study by New Plymouth District Council and the NZTA found a number of issues are causing delays and other problems on the network – intersections nearing capacity; freight demands and local pressures. Back in 2012, it was announced that this route needed some attention. The public input journey started in the winter of 2013 and construction commenced two years ago in September 2014.

On Sunday 26 June from 10am – 2pm at Waiwhakaiho Park Netball Courts (Devon Street East), we have organised a community fun day.

There will be a bouncy castle and face-painting, as well as information about the project and you’ll be able to talk to the people who have been involved in building it.