Bridge to Nowhere - Whanganui National Park, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
S 39° 16.269 E 174° 58.356
60H E 325108 N 5651173
The Bridge to Nowhere was built at great expense in the 1920s for vehicular traffic to settle this remote section of the South Island. The area was never successfully settled and the bridge stands as testament to a plan gone array.
Waymark Code: WMJV64
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 01/01/2014
Views: 4
The Bridge to Nowhere was built at great expense in the 1920s for vehicular traffic to settle this remote section of the South Island. The area was never successfully settled and the bridge stands as testament to a plan gone array.
Sections of the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Valleys were offered to veterans of World War I under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act 1915. Though the plans were open and full of promise, the land itself proved rugged and isolated.
When settlers first arrived they crossed the Mangapurua Stream by scrambling up and down the gorge walls. Things improved with the installation of a wire cage, followed by a suspension bridge in 1919.
A massive 105 cubic metres of concrete and 15 tons of steel were used in the construction. With access to the site almost impossible, cartage costs nearly equalled the price of construction.
By the time the bridge was complete, river use had declined and most residents had abandoned this part of the valley.
Ironically, this valley, where isolation and inaccessibility pushed settlers away, is now one of the most visited spots in Whanganui National Park.
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: walkers and cyclists
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
river gorge
Date constructed: 1920s
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: no
Name of road or trail the bridge services: Mangapurua Track
Location:
Whanganui National Park
Length of bridge: Not listed
Height of bridge: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit. If the bridge location prevents you from taking a safe photograph, then please do not stop to take the photo. Safety is more important.
Recent Visits/Logs:
| There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|
|