Whanganui's new Upokongaro Bridge has finally been launched, just hours before New Zealand went into Covid-19 lockdown.
![Conditions were calm for the Upokongaro Bridge placement. Photo / Bevan Conley](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/KTVA5JNY3VRK7BTDWFITLLCC5E.jpg?auth=e3736840b2fb614478f4eac8cbaf2f4e0f72036746581bf8c00bb74c9f69a202&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
High tide was at noon, the river was low and calm, and conditions were perfect when Emmetts Civil Construction and Crane Services staff put the new and long-awaited foot and cycle bridge across the Whanganui River yesterday.
The 130m long suspension bridge was rolled to the river's edge on two trucks, lowered onto a pontoon by a crane, and then floated across the river.
On the Upokongaro side it was hoisted onto the abutment prepared for it by another crane, then bolted into place.