IT took three cranes, seven trucks, dozens of men in hi- visibility vests and two in wetsuits to put New Plymouth's new Waiwhakaiho walkway bridge in place yesterday.
Zenith Replica Watches The combination seemed to work well because the eye- catching 80- metre bridge was in place by 11am without mishap or even mild fuss.
"It makes you wonder why we bother planning these things at all," said Chris Whitaker, head of Whitaker Civil Engineering.
It is his company that has led the consortium of local firms involved in the construction of the bridge designed to conjure up thoughts of a breaking wave or whale skeleton.
"I think we said it would be in before lunch and there it is bang on 11am," he said, making it sound more exciting than it really was.
Several of the many onlookers agreed the whole process was quite similar to test cricket: Slow and deliberate with brief moments of action.
Despite the lack of adrenaline pumping moments, Bell Block man Don Beaurepaire and his dog Jack stayed to the end to see the vital link in brochure printing the Bell Block walkway extension plonked into place.
"The people of Bell Block look on this as a great concept and it's going to used.
"A lot of people are going to be biking into town and it certainly doesn't seem like that long walking along the coastline compared to walking along the road.
"Everyone is well behind it," he said.
Although they will not be on it for a while yet according to Tracey Mitchell of the New Plymouth District Council.
"We can't open the bridge until the walkway is finished and tenders for that don't close until Thursday," she said.
Once a contractor is selected it is hoped the $3.1 million walkway extension to Bell Block will be finished within three months.
Not only will it include kilometres of concrete pathway, boardwalk and beach access paths but dog-proof fencing to protect environmentally sensitive catalog printing areas, such as bird nesting areas, the walkway will border.
--------------------
---
Other articles:
http://www.greatpinoy.com/blog/view/id_1334/title_the-best-ethical-trainers/http://www.taiandaily.com/NCCC-explores-link-with-China.html
