Second Ashburton Bridge

Project update

4 November 2025

What to expect
The work will involve driving a large steel pipe into the ground using a crane-mounted hammer. This part of the process will be noisy at times, especially when the steel plug is hammered into place. We’ll work to minimise disruption and avoid starting the louder work before 8am. More details can be found in our recent start works notice. 

Trial pile enabling works
Crews have made good progress on the trial pile site. Over the last week or so they have been removing trees, setting up fencing and building the gravel pad for the large crane to sit on.  Most of the wood from the trees that were removed has been donated to the Ashburton Scout Group.

The 100 tonne crane (see photograph) and other equipment are arriving on-site this week (4/5 November) and the team will start setting up and preparing for the trial pile work. 

Second Ashburton Bridge design work progressing

Over the coming months, you’ll see more activity around the project area as our team carries out testing and investigations that will help refine the final design and help us decide on construction staging. That means you might notice people carrying out:

• Geotechnical testing – small-scale ground sampling near the river and nearby roads.

• Tree assessments – checking which trees may need to be removed for safety or access and looking at planting.

• Surveying and mapping – to confirm the bridge alignment and key features. This work sometimes involves using drones equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which uses laser pulses to create highly accurate 3D maps of the land surface, even through vegetation.

• Environmental checks – reviewing stopbanks, water flow, and ecological features.

This work is within the designated project area and will be carried out with care and minimal disruption.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as the project progresses.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Ngā mihi/Kind regards
2AB project team

More information

If you’d like to speak to someone about the trial pile work, please contact Natalie Dixon (Fletcher Construction):
Phone:027 257 2249

or email the team: 2AB@nzta.govt.nz

Visit nzta.govt.nz/2AB to learn more or subscribe to updates