Skip to main content

What evidence has the New Zealand Transport Agency used to determine that “major improvements are not economically justified” for the Waihenga bridge and when was that evidence last examined in detail? and 1 other question

Answered 31968, 31972 (2026)
Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 31968

    What evidence has the New Zealand Transport Agency used to determine that “major improvements are not economically justified” for the Waihenga bridge and when was that evidence last examined in detail?

  • 31972

    When, if at all, was the last time that the New Zealand Transport Agency undertook a replacement project feasibility report for the Waihenga bridge and when, if at all, will the next report be completed?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised by NZTA that it used the Bridge Management Plan (BMP) as the governing document for the Waihenga Bridge. The latest BMP is from April 2021. Included in the BMP is a 2011 Project Feasibility Report (PFR). The PFR for Waihenga bridge is what NZTA used to determine that major improvements are not economically justified. This was last reviewed in 2018, and the BCR numbers were updated. The PFR provided a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 0.5 for underpinning (structural reinforcement of the foundations) and 1.1 for replacement of the bridge. Additionally, following significant repairs undertaken from 2018-2020, the bridge has a predicted remaining lifespan of 20-40 years. NZTA regularly monitors structures. There is no planned timeframe for an updated PFR. An updated PFR will be undertaken if there is significant change to the asset condition, risk profile, remaining life, level of service requirements or funding/programme context.