Supporting the bridge crossing the Taipo River on the West Coast, are concrete-filled cast-iron cylinder piers. They were first constructed in 1886, and later modified and incorporated into the current bridge, demonstrating a creative engineering design solution.
Taipo River Bridge Piers, 1993, Geoffrey Thornton Photographic Collection, IPENZ.
The original 1886 bridge featured eight cylinder piers with timber superstructure. The bridge was re-created in 1936, retaining and modifying four of the piers to carry a new steel-plate girder superstructure. The bridge continues to be used as part of State Highway 73.
Taipo River was an inconvenient and dangerous obstacle for travelers. This particularly affected communication as the West Coast Road, constructed in 1865-66, was the mail route between Christchurch and West Coast settlements.
The Taipo was initially bridged in 1866 but the river course shifted, rendering the bridge useless. A wire suspension bridge was constructed to allow coach passengers to cross on foot while the coach forded the river. In 1886, the bridge with concrete-filled cast iron cylinder piers removed this obstacle.
The new Taipo River bridge was designed by Francis William Martin (1855-1895). It has association with Charles Yelverton O’Connor (1842-1902), a prominent engineer who probably determined the location of the bridge. It has been suggested that he determined the design of the piers, intending it to carry the future West Coast rail line.
The timber superstructure had to be repaired a number of times and in 1935 the entire superstructure was replaced with a steel-plate girder deck. New abutments were created and four of the original piers were modified to carry the new design. This unusual modification as it exists today demonstrates a creative engineering design solution in the face of limited financial resources.
Taipo River Bridge, November 2014, IPENZ.
The piers serve as a physical reminder of two engineers who were prominent locally, nationally, and internationally. The continuing use of the piers in the flood-prone and swift-flowing Taipo River demonstrates the robust and enduring qualities of a once-popular pier design.
Heritage recognition
This item of New Zealand’s engineering heritage has been recognised by Engineering New Zealand with a plaque.
Taipo River Bridge Piers was added to the Engineering New Zealand Heritage Register on 8 June 2018.
Read the heritage assessment | 884.9 KB
Find out more
Access
This bridge is open to state highway vehicular traffic.
References
Taylor, Ivan D. The Road to the West Coast: a history of the road over Arthur's Pass. Palmerston North, Heritage Press Ltd, 2005.
Thornton, Geoffrey. Bridging the Gap: Early bridges in New Zealand, 1830-1939. Auckland: Reed, 2001.
Location
13 kilometres west of Jacksons on State Highway 73, West Coast/Buller.
