Churchill Bridge Replacement Complete

When Cyclone Gabrielle struck New Zealand in 2023, it caused widespread damage across the Manawatū District. Among the hardest hit for the district was the Pohangina Valley, where the Churchill and Makiekie bridges were destroyed in the floods.

For Churchill Bridge, four spans of the 75-metre structure and three of its piers were swept away, leaving only the abutments and a fragment of deck behind.

The cyclone also transformed the Pohangina River itself. As thousands of tonnes of stone and debris were deposited downstream, the river’s course was dramatically altered. Before rebuilding could begin, engineers faced the monumental task of realigning the riverbed. This work not only reshaped the landscape but also gave purpose to the very stones pulled from the river, which were crushed and repurposed as the foundation for the bridge to come.

With funding support from NZTA, Manawatū District Council (MDC) established a three-stage recovery programme: first, realigning the river; second, rebuilding Churchill Bridge; and next, replacing Makiekie Bridge.

Officially opened on 3 October 2025 by Elected Members, Council Officers and Ngāti Kauwhata, the reconstructed Churchill Bridge stands as a symbol of resilience and futureproofing. Built two metres higher than its predecessor, the new structure is designed to better withstand the extreme weather events of the future.

Above the roadway, two 44-metre-long steel trusses create a strong yet functional silhouette. Their placement above the deck not only defines the bridge’s profile but makes future maintenance and repair easier. Fabricated at Eastbridge Ltd. in Napier, the trusses were carefully transported and lifted into position on site.

More than 6,000 bolts secure the bridge. Each of the three abutments is anchored deep into the earth with reinforced concrete piles, while much of the concrete work was undertaken at Emmett’s in Whanganui. By precasting components locally, the project was able to streamline the complex build while drawing on local expertise.

Construction was not without its challenges. Care was taken to minimise the need to cross the river including a working bench while installing the central pier. Every step required engineering precision alongside respect for the unpredictable forces of nature.

“Rebuilding Churchill Bridge has been about more than restoring a crossing. It’s about designing for the future, MDC’s Roading Maintenance and Operations Manager Grant Stevenson explains. “By raising the structure two metres and incorporating stronger, more resilient materials, we’re making sure this bridge will stand up to extreme weather events and continue to serve the Pohangina community for decades to come.”

For the Pohangina community, the reopening of Churchill Bridge restores a long-awaited connection. As attention now turns to Makiekie Bridge, Churchill stands as a key milestone in the district’s recovery and a lasting investment in a stronger, more resilient future.