THE Arataki Swingbridge in the Pureora Forest is being replaced with work commencing this week.
The 36-metre suspension bridge across the Mangakino Stream was originally constructed in 1978 by the New Zealand Forest Service and is one of the last of its kind in the Pureora Forest.
The bridge has been a key feature of the North Island Heartland Cycle Trail, linking to the iconic Timber Trail to the Waikato River Trails Great Ride.
Its replacement will take about six weeks, DOC’s Maniapoto operations manager Graham Kimber said.
“The bridge is something of a symbol for walkers and cyclists who enjoy this part of the country, but it’s due for replacement, and we’re pleased to have commissioned this project to get that work done,” he said.
The new bridge will be 31 metres long from tower to tower – about the same size and a similar design as the bridge being taken out of service. Cables and wooden slats will make up the bulk of the structure.
The first phase of the project is constructing the “dead man” anchor points for the new bridge, then the main cable across the Mangakino Stream will be fitted.
The existing bridge will be removed in pieces following the installation of the main cable.
The current Arataki swing bridge is akin to an old tramping track suspension bridge and it takes some skill to cross.
DOC recommends cyclists pop their bike up on its back wheel and cross without the weight of any bike-
packing kit.
The new bridge will be a suspension bridge similar to some of the smaller bridges on the Timber Trail.
It will have a 650mm wide timber deck. Cyclists might still need to up-end their bikes to cross the new bridge, and Graham urges continued patience and courtesy among those who used it.
While work is under way, DOC strongly encourages cyclists using the trail to take the recommended detour. See timbertrail.nz/centre-of-north-island/ for details.
