Rakaia Gorge Bridge
Rakaia Gorge Bridge | |
|---|---|
Rakaia Gorge Bridge as viewed from the riverbed to the East, 2025 | |
| Coordinates | 43°31′03″S 171°39′27″E / 43.517561°S 171.65738°E |
| Carries | 1 lane of roadway |
| Crosses | Rakaia River |
| Locale | Windwhistle, Canterbury |
| Maintained by | New Zealand Transport Agency |
| Heritage status | Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic place listing |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Deck truss bridge |
| Total length | 55 m (180 ft) |
| Width | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Location | |
Interactive map of Rakaia Gorge Bridge | |
The Rakaia Gorge Bridge consists of two bridges, a single lane road bridge located on the Rakaia River in inland Canterbury in New Zealand's South Island known as the Rakaia Gorge Bridge No. 1, and a two lane concrete bridge over the flood channel known as the Rakaia Gorge Bridge No. 2. The bridge connects the Selwyn and Ashburton districts and carries State Highway 77 and the Inland Scenic Route. They are one of only two bridges crossing the Rakaia River, and the oldest, with the other being the Rakaia Bridge, carrying State Highway 1. Construction on the No. 1 bridge was conducted between 1880 and 1882 by contractors W. H. Barnes. It is listed as a category 1 historic place by Heritage New Zealand.