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Bridge of Remembrance and Memorial Arch

Christchurch’s Bridge of Remembrance and Memorial Arch was one of the city’s most treasured remaining historic structures left standing after earthquakes scarred the region. Its restoration required innovation and imagination.

A powerful symbol of the rebuild, Christchurch’s iconic Bridge of Remembrance and Memorial Arch was returned to full grandeur.

The SCIRT restoration project recognised the importance of the city’s past amid the focus on the future. It proved to be one of the most difficult and rewarding projects of the rebuild.

The Bridge of Remembrance and Memorial Arch was officially opened on Armistice Day, November 11, 1924. Nearly 90 years later, the badly damaged war memorial was again the focus of the people of Christchurch. The Memorial Arch – a site of reflection – was one of the city’s most treasured remaining historic structures left standing after a series of earthquakes rumbled through the region.

Repairs to the 360-tonne, 14-metre high and 20-metre wide Memorial Arch – an imposing structure of sharp lines and ornate decoration – included the insertion of steel inside the masonry columns to strengthen the structure and concrete that increased the weight of the arch to 470 tonnes. The addition of a “rocking collar” at the base further supported the reinforced arch. Significant modifications to the articulation of the structure allowed the rocking action to occur in any direction.

A flyover of the completed restoration work can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSUfmg1jzY

SCIRT’s innovative work on the Memorial Arch was recognised with the Canterbury Heritage Awards 2016 Public Realm – Saved and Restored Award.

NB: While several historical and official documents have referred to the “Triumphal” Arch, the correct name is the Memorial Arch.

Attachments

Lest we forget - SCIRT restores Memorial Arch Cover
Lest we forget - SCIRT restores Memorial Arch

A document which describes the process that SCIRT took to restore the Bridge of Remembrance and Memorial Arch.

Size:

785.90 KB

Bridge of Remembrance Triumphal Arch rebuild involves city boys' school Cover
Bridge of Remembrance Triumphal Arch rebuild involves city boys' school

A web story about the model design work by Christ's College pupils.

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949.13 KB

Bridge of Remembrance Kids Zone attracts central city school pupils Cover
Bridge of Remembrance Kids Zone attracts central city school pupils

A web story about a site visit to the Bridge and Arch by local school pupils.

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1.10 MB

Canterbury Heritage Awards application Cover
Canterbury Heritage Awards application

A copy of the award application for the Canterbury Heritage Awards 2016.

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614.63 KB

Bridge of Remembrance poster for awards application Cover
Bridge of Remembrance poster for awards application

A poster which was prepared to go with the award application for the Canterbury Heritage Awards 2016.

Size:

5.68 MB

Lions roar back into the city centre Cover
Lions roar back into the city centre

A web story about the return of the stone lions to the Memorial Arch.

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466.97 KB

 Bridge of Remembrance posters Cover
Bridge of Remembrance posters

Posters which describe the earthquake damage, planned restoration methods and historic information about the Bridge of Remembrance and Memorial Arch. These posters were hung on the fencing around the Bridge and Arch to inform the public about the work taking place.

Size:

6.20 MB

 Triumphal Arch presentation by site engineer Cover
Triumphal Arch presentation by site engineer

A presentation prepared by one of the site engineers restoring the Memorial Arch and Bridge of Remembrance, outlining the damage to the structures, the repair designs and the construction methodologies.

Size:

3.83 MB

Bridge of Remembrance community engagement presentation Cover
Bridge of Remembrance community engagement presentation

A presentation prepared by SCIRT's Downer Communciation Lead, providing an overview of the community engagement carried out by the Downer Team during the restoration of the Bridge and Arch.

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3.55 MB

Triumphal Arch and Bridge of Remembrance communication updates Cover
Triumphal Arch and Bridge of Remembrance communication updates

A series of communication updates provided by SCIRT's Downer Delivery Team to the Christchurch City Council. These updates detailed the progress of the Arch and Bridge restoration. The updates were produced between 28 June 2013 and 8 September 2015.

Size:

34.19 MB

 Environmental Initiative: bentonite splash fence Cover
Environmental Initiative: bentonite splash fence

A document describing Downer's approach to containing bentonite when drilling micro piles for the new Arch foundations.

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532.67 KB

Environmental Initiative: CO2 diffuser to neutralise high pH Cover
Environmental Initiative: CO2 diffuser to neutralise high pH

A document describing Downer's planned approach for neutralising the high pH of any potential bentonite or grout discharge into the Avon river.

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547.66 KB

Environmental Initiative: Triumphal Arch major column seismic clamps Cover
Environmental Initiative: Triumphal Arch major column seismic clamps

A document describing Downer's use of column seismic clamps to prevent additional damage to the Arch columns.

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713.05 KB

Safety Initiative: Use of a remotely operated hydraulic jaw crusher Cover
Safety Initiative: Use of a remotely operated hydraulic jaw crusher

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465.93 KB

Safety Initiative: 3D modelling for construction methodology of Triumphal Arch Cover
Safety Initiative: 3D modelling for construction methodology of Triumphal Arch

A document describing the use of 3D modelling for construction methodology.

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626.25 KB

Safety Initiative: Confined spaces
Safety Initiative: Confined spaces "dummy run

A document describing the confined spaces "dummy run".

Size:

717.54 KB

 Safety Initiative: Early warning system of ground and structural movement Cover
Safety Initiative: Early warning system of ground and structural movement

A document describing the early warning system to alert team members of ground and structural movement at the Arch.

Size:

731.03 KB

Bridge of Remembrance Seismic Strengthening - New Zealand Concrete Industry Conference 2015 Cover
Bridge of Remembrance Seismic Strengthening - New Zealand Concrete Industry Conference 2015

A paper presented at the New Zealand Concrete Industry Conference 2015 about the design and construction challenges faced when strengthening the Memorial Arch.

Size:

7.78 MB