In Te Reo Maori, Tirohanga Whānui means ‘Panoramic View’, which reflects the location of the Tirohanga Whānui Bridge at the top of Spencer Ridge in Auckland, New Zealand. More than 200 cyclists and pedestrians are estimated to use this bridge daily as an alternative to driving.
In line with recent Auckland Roads Projects, the NZ Transport Agency again commissioned an attractive footbridge to pass over the Motorway, this time north of the City. The bridge connects the vibrant Westfield Shopping Centre and adjacent business precinct with a residential area comprised of new and established dwellings.
Carl Stahl X-Tend® tensile mesh from Ronstan was specified on this bridge following its successful application on the highly acclaimed Dilworth Footbridge, which is located in the inner south of the City of Auckland and was also designed by Auckland Architect, Jeff Wells. Ronstan engineered, designed and detailed the X-Tend mesh panels and connections, analysizing, quantifying and resolving the mesh forces in the process for our partner, SRS Group Limited. SRS undertook the complex mesh installation for steel contractor, Cullham Engineering, which was responsible for the steel fabrication and installation of the bridge.
There are two sections of tensile mesh on the project; above the bridge deck as Fall Arrest protection and below the deck where the stainless steel mesh encloses the “services” area. The bridge is already developing as a local landmark and is highly visible from a distance. Its distinctive red steel colouring and stainless steel mesh presents an artistic, functional and eye catching point of interest for users and passers-by alike.
This project was completed in early 2019 at Spencer Road, in Albany (Auckland, NZ). Aside from our design and engineering responsibilities, Ronstan supplied our ACS3-SSM16 cable systems for the top cables (each with two joiners) and the CXEV20040 X-Tend Tensile Mesh 2.0mm 40mm x 69mm diamond (vertically oriented).
View a video made by the New Zealand Transport Agency, of the install of the new walking and cycling bridge below.
All images: Mark Scowen Photography
