Recycling over landfill for the old Hooker Valley Bridge

What do you do with a 90-metre alpine suspension bridge when it is getting replaced?

Well if you are the Department of Conservation, you recycle it.

The Hooker Valley suspension bridge in Aoraki/Mount Cook is currently being dismantled for removal at the same time its replacement is being built alongside.

It was closed in April last year after riverbank erosion made it unsafe to cross.

Asset Delivery Manager Anthony Clegg says parts are being made available for purchase via the DOC website.

He says the bridge was built in 2012, so there is a lot of life left in a wide variety of components.

“Rather than sending everything to the landfill, we can give those materials a second life.”

“We have got the timber decking, there is around 90 meters of cable, nuts, bolts and the hangers from underneath the bridge”. 

Anthony Clegg says any potential buyers just need to look up the story about the old Hooker Valley Bridge on the DOC website and they will find a form where they can register interest (see below) or if they need more information, they can give the Department of Conservation a call.

As for the replacement structure, Anthony Clegg says they are on track for an opening in early August this year.

“The new bridge is spectacular.

“It's 189 metres, double the length of the existing bridge and when you see it alongside the old one, you really appreciate what an incredible piece of engineering it is. 

“It's going to be pretty special when people can finally walk across it.”

DOC will be running an online bidding process via procurement@doc.govt.nz.

* Photos supplied by DOC