Completed in 2019, Saltwater Creek Bridge is a key feature of the city-to-sea cycleway that connects Nelson’s city centre and waterfront.
Based on a traditional German Trog Brücke, or trough bridge, the design is cloaked in curved Garapa slats referencing the form of a waka/hull and the site’s history as an early landing place for local Iwi.
Formed from mass timber, the full structure was prefabricated and lifted onto concrete supports either side of the creek, avoiding any scaffolding and ecological impacts to the surrounding waterway and river bed.
Spanning 24m plus 3m land spans at each end, the full structure of the bridge is formed from timber.
Radiata glulam beams are used to minimise weight over the span, and durable Garapa slats to withstand the harsh marine environment.
The low-depth structure under the bridge is in response to minimum flood levels, and the requirement for free board and cycle grades.
Client: Nelson City Council
Location: Nelson
Status: Completed 2019
Awards: NZIA Nelson/Marlborough Architecture Awards, Winner – Public Architecture, 2020
NZ Wood Resene Timber Design Awards, Winner – Exterior Structure Design Award, 2020
