A 100m-long suspension bridge across the Manganui Gorge will become an impressive new feature of the Taranaki Crossing.

Tenders have opened for construction of the bridge, which will be funded through the $13.3 million investment made by the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund into the Taranaki Crossing project.

The crossing project will see 25km of tracks improved, creating a mix of short walks and longer tramps. It will also minimise the impact of visitors on the maunga environment.

The project has ongoing support from Kānoa the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, which has welcomed this significant Taranaki Crossing project milestone.

Operations Manager Gareth Hopkins says the new bridge will connect the Plateau car park with the only ski-field on the maunga, via a 30-minute walk.

“The new bridge will be a key feature of Taranaki Crossing, a network of upgraded track from Dawson Falls to Mangorei Road end,” Hopkins said.

“We have a design confirmed, incorporating a 1.2m wide deck and towers up to 22m high. It’s an eye-catching design, the bridge designer has been working on an elegant yet strong design that sits slightly hidden up the Manganui Gorge.”

The bridge will be built with additional main cables that allow cables to be replaced and maintained without needing major closures and provide additional safety to users. The decking will be a fibre-reinforced plastic allowing quick drainage and good grip for users.

Safety and ease of construction and extensive modelling of wind and avalanche conditions have all been factored into the bridge design.

The bridge will replace a short section of track which has required visitors to descend to the bottom of a gorge. The existing track through the gorge has been prone to washouts and closure due to avalanches.

The tender process is expected to be concluded in January.