Arapuni Suspension Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Arapuni Suspension Bridge is located just downstream from the Arapuni Power Station
on the Waikato River
in the South Waikato District
of New Zealand
. The 152 metres (498.7 ft) suspension bridge in the bush-lined gorge was built in the mid-1920s to allow workers from the village of Arapuni
to access the power station construction site.
project, the suspension bridge itself received little mention in progress reports and media accounts. Construction started in May 1925 and finished sometime in the three months after April 1926. The bridge does not seem to have had a formal opening function.
The bridge connected "top camp" (which eventually became the Arapuni township) with the western side of the gorge. "Top camp" accommodated the workmen employed on construction of the spillway
, powerhouse
and penstock
.
The bridge was registered a Category II historic place by the Historic Places Trust
on 21 April 1994.
from Westminster
, London. The structure is likely to have been shipped prefabricated from England, and was erected by the British contractors for the Arapuni dam and power station project, Armstrong Whitworth
. It is one of the longest suspension footbridges in the country. The bridge has a span of 152.4 metres (500 ft) and is 8 metres (26.2 ft) higher when measured from true left (i.e. the left side when looking downriver) to true right. It has a high steel lattice tower on the true left. On the true right, the bridge footing is cut into the side of the river bank and the foundation for the suspension cables is built on top of the cliff.
Bridge users are rewarded with views of the scenic gorge. Geological features can be seen, and the cliffs on the true right of the landing are of volcanic origin and formed by ignimbrite
blocks, which are vertically fissured by cooling stresses.
The bridge is sometimes incorrectly called the Arapuni Swing Bridge
, for example on signs along the walkway to the bridge. The term 'swing bridge' is in popular use in New Zealand for suspension bridges that act as footbridges.
The Waikato River Trails
, which is under construction as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, will pass the bridge on the true right of the Waikato River.
Arapuni Power Station
Arapuni Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seventh and penultimate hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River...
on the Waikato River
Waikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. In the North Island, it runs for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the...
in the South Waikato District
South Waikato District
The South Waikato District is a municipality in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located between the cities of Hamilton to the north, Rotorua to the east, Taupo to the south and Ruapehu District to the west....
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The 152 metres (498.7 ft) suspension bridge in the bush-lined gorge was built in the mid-1920s to allow workers from the village of Arapuni
Arapuni
Arapuni is a rural town centre on the Waikato river in the South Waikato District of New Zealand. The population on census night 2006 was 2,145 usual residents, slightly down from 2,163 in 2001 and 2,211 in 1996. The town sits next to a hydroelectric dam at Lake Arapuni, one of six in the South...
to access the power station construction site.
History
The bridge spans the Arapuni gorge about 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) downstream from the Arapuni Dam. As it was a relatively simple ancillary structure associated with what at the time was New Zealand's largest civil engineeringCivil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
project, the suspension bridge itself received little mention in progress reports and media accounts. Construction started in May 1925 and finished sometime in the three months after April 1926. The bridge does not seem to have had a formal opening function.
The bridge connected "top camp" (which eventually became the Arapuni township) with the western side of the gorge. "Top camp" accommodated the workmen employed on construction of the spillway
Spillway
A spillway is a structure used to provide the controlled release of flows from a dam or levee into a downstream area, typically being the river that was dammed. In the UK they may be known as overflow channels. Spillways release floods so that the water does not overtop and damage or even destroy...
, powerhouse
Power station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
and penstock
Penstock
A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydraulic turbines and sewerage systems. It is a term that has been inherited from the technology of wooden watermills....
.
The bridge was registered a Category II historic place by the Historic Places Trust
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is a non-profit trust that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand...
on 21 April 1994.
Engineering
The bridge was designed by David Rowell & Co.David Rowell & Co.
David Rowell & Co. was a company based in Westminster, London that fabricated wrought iron and wire rope, built suspension footbridges, and structural steel frame buildings. They were established in 1855 and closed in 1970.-History:...
from Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, London. The structure is likely to have been shipped prefabricated from England, and was erected by the British contractors for the Arapuni dam and power station project, Armstrong Whitworth
Armstrong Whitworth
Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd was a major British manufacturing company of the early years of the 20th century. Headquartered in Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, Armstrong Whitworth engaged in the construction of armaments, ships, locomotives, automobiles, and aircraft.-History:In 1847,...
. It is one of the longest suspension footbridges in the country. The bridge has a span of 152.4 metres (500 ft) and is 8 metres (26.2 ft) higher when measured from true left (i.e. the left side when looking downriver) to true right. It has a high steel lattice tower on the true left. On the true right, the bridge footing is cut into the side of the river bank and the foundation for the suspension cables is built on top of the cliff.
Today
The bridge is a popular tourist destination. The site can be accessed via a walkway starting on Arapuni Road opposite Rabone Street.Bridge users are rewarded with views of the scenic gorge. Geological features can be seen, and the cliffs on the true right of the landing are of volcanic origin and formed by ignimbrite
Ignimbrite
An ignimbrite is the deposit of a pyroclastic density current, or pyroclastic flow, a hot suspension of particles and gases that flows rapidly from a volcano, driven by a greater density than the surrounding atmosphere....
blocks, which are vertically fissured by cooling stresses.
The bridge is sometimes incorrectly called the Arapuni Swing Bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
, for example on signs along the walkway to the bridge. The term 'swing bridge' is in popular use in New Zealand for suspension bridges that act as footbridges.
The Waikato River Trails
Waikato River Trails
The Waikato River Trails is a combined walk- and cycleway along the Waikato River. Originally conceived and started by local politicians and trustees, in 2009 the trails became one of the seven Quick Start Projects that form the beginning of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. The trail is proposed to be...
, which is under construction as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, will pass the bridge on the true right of the Waikato River.