Ōpiki bridge cables lifted out of the river, just
Admirers of the historic Ōpiki bridge near Palmerston North spent a suspenseful day yesterday watching attempts to lift its dangling cables out of the Manawatū River and secure them back on their towers.
Half of the cables from the 105-yearold bridge fell into the Manawatū River in September 2023, and have been dangling there ever since, creating a navigation hazard and prompting closure of the river reach.
Yesterday’s onlookers saw progress, with the cables lifted just clear of the water, but the job was not finished.
A Horizons spokesperson said the plan involved using clamps to attach a new cable to the main section of the historic wire ropes, using the new section to make the lift and anchor it in place.
But the job was taking longer than expected. The main piece of cable was out of the river, and the new cable would stop it from drooping any further, but more work was needed to complete the project, the spokesperson said.
The site had been secured, and teams would return at a later date to do more work.
Palmerston North City councillor Mark Arnott was one of those who spent most of the day on site recording the event.
“They obviously had some problems, and only just got it out of the water, and I don’t know when they will be going back, so it was a bit of a disappointing end of the day.”
But Historic Places ManawatūHorowhenua chairperson Cindy Lilburn said while the work was taking longer than anticipated, she would prefer progress that was slow and steady if that was the way to get the best result.
“We are pleased Horizons has opted to do it, and that progress is good, and we wish them every success.
“We look forward to it being restored as a landmark.”
The bridge was listed as a Category 1 historic place, of regional and national significance.
It stands as a monument to the area’s flax-milling past.
It was the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand when it was built, and was unique in that it was operated as a privately owned toll bridge for many years.
Its deck was removed after the State Highway 56 bridge linking Manawatū and Horowhenua was opened a short distance upstream in 1969, but its cables remained as a local landmark spanning the river between its concrete towers.