Deadman's Point Bridge

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Deadman's Point Bridge
Deadmans Point Bridge Lake Dunstan Cromwell.jpg
Coordinates 45°02′19″S169°13′16″E / 45.03861°S 169.22111°E / -45.03861; 169.22111
Carries2 lanes of State Highway 8B
Crosses Lake Dunstan
Owner New Zealand Transport Agency
Preceded byDeadman's Point Footbridge
Characteristics
MaterialSteel
Trough constructionconcrete
Total length272 metres (892 ft)
Width12 metres (39 ft)
Water depth35 metres (115 ft)
Longest span40 metres (130 ft)
Piers in water4
Clearance below 9 metres (30 ft) on true left of lake
No. of lanes 2
History
DesignerMinistry of Works and Development
Built1986
ReplacesCromwell Bridge
Location
Deadman's Point Bridge

Deadman's Point Bridge crosses Lake Dunstan at Cromwell, Central Otago, as part of New Zealand's State Highway 8 (SH8). A short spur section, SH8B, joins SH8 on the true left bank of Lake Dunstan, crossing Deadman's Point Bridge to meet State Highway 6 immediately west of Cromwell.

Contents

Background

Etymology

The origin of the name Deadman's Point appears uncertain, [1] although an early account suggests the narrow headland of schist bedrock at Deadman's Point made the Clutha River (Māori: Mata-Au) a perilous crossing:

It is so-called because a man once fell from the suspension bridge which still spans the river there. He was found stiff and cold next morning, dead from heart failure. This grim story, and also the local legend that the bodies of the unfortunates who were drowned higher up the Clutha in the early days were invariably washed up at this point...

— Waipukurau Press, 28(173), 19 July 1933 [2]

Clyde Dam

Deadman's Point Bridge was built to replace Cromwell Bridge which was flooded in 1992–93 with the filling of Lake Dunstan. The Clyde Dam hydroelectric project caused the impoundment of the Clutha River at the mouth of the Cromwell Gorge near Clyde. With a head of 60 m (200 ft), the Cromwell Gorge and much of Cromwell's old town was flooded, necessitating a new highway through the gorge as well as a new bridge to cross Lake Dunstan.

Construction of Deadman's Point Bridge followed a lengthy debate on where the new bridge into Cromwell should be located. [3] Numerous options were considered during the early design phases of the Clyde Dam, including a bridge at the same location as the old bridge (but higher), two bridges connecting Cornish Point, a bridge extending from Cromwell's Neplusultra Street, and the Deadman's Point location. [3] [4]

Construction

The initial construction of Deadman's Point Bridge began in 1978 and continued until early 1982.[ citation needed ] The bridge is supported by four concrete piers, each 11 m (36 ft) wide, [5] sunk into the schist bedrock either side of the (former) main Clutha River channel. Easton Industries (Napier) Ltd were charged with fabrication of the bridge's steel trusses, approximately 550 tonnes worth, [6] having won a tender for 288,874 NZD in 1978. [7] The total cost of Deadman's Point Bridge was 2.4 million NZD in 1984. [8]

Given the slope instability noted during the construction of the Clyde Dam [9] and the potential for earthquake-induced damage, the piers of Deadman's Point Bridge were fitted with rocking isolation hinges which allow the bridge piers to uplift and pivot during earthquake excitation. [10] The bridge's design focuses on diminishing the structural deformation and damage caused during a seismic event. [10]

Associated with the construction of Deadman's Point Bridge was road realignment and completion of State Highway SH8B. Re-sealing of this portion of road was completed in 1985. [11]

Associated development

With consented and projected residential development occurring on both sides of SH8B, [12] this portion of road will eventually become an urban through-route. It is anticipated that the speed limit will be 50 km/h (31 mph), perhaps lower, for the overall distance between Deadman's Point Bridge and SH6. [12]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexandra bridges</span> Bridge

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References

  1. ↑ "Deadman's Point". Mighty Clutha. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Aptly named "Deadman's Point"". Waipukurau Press. Vol. 28, no. 173. 19 July 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 McElroy, E. J. (1982). An Analysis of Planning Procedures Associated with the Development of the Cromwell Town Plan (PDF). Dunedin, NZ: Otago University (PGDip Thesis). Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Cromwell Bridge Approaches" (PDF). Central Otago District Council. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  5. ↑ Skinner, R. I; Tyler, R. G.; Heine, A. J.; Robinson, W. H. (1978). "Hysteretic dampers for the protection of structures from earthquakes". Bulletin of the New Zealand National Society for Earthquake Engineering. 13 (1): 22–36.
  6. ↑ "Cromwell Bridge at Deadman's Point - Fabrication of Steel Trusses". The Press. 29 April 1978. p. 24.
  7. ↑ "Tariff Decision List" (PDF). The New Zealand Gazette. 68 (19). 3 August 1978.
  8. ↑ Thompson, B. (10 May 1984). "Soaring costs of new Clyde-Cromwell road". The Press. p. 21. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  9. ↑ O'Brien, G. A.; Cox, S. C.; Townend, J. (2016). "Spatially and temporally systematic hydrologic changes within large geo-engineered landslides, Cromwell Gorge, New Zealand, induced by multiple regional earthquakes". J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth. 121: 8750–8773 – via AGU.
  10. 1 2 Giouvanidis, A. I.; Dimitrakopoulos, E. G. (2014). "Seismic Analysis of Hybrid Rocking Bridge Bents". Second European Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology. Istanbul, Turkey– via ResearchGate.
  11. ↑ "Alexandra Residency SH6 to Deadmans Point Bridge Second Coat Seal". The Press. 9 February 1985. p. 71. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  12. 1 2 NM Associates Ltd - Architects and Planners (2019). Cromwell 'Eye to the Future' Masterplan Spatial Framework Stage 1: Spatial Plan (PDF). Central Otago District Council.
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