The Hugo Bridge, an integral part of the Lake Dunstan Trail, received a top accolade on Friday night (August 5) at the Civil Contractors New Zealand Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards.

Wellington-based Abseil Access won the Category 1 Award (for projects with a value of up to $2 million), for its work on the 86-metre-long suspension bridge.

Abseil Access managing director Martin Wilson said he knew this bridge – the company’s 59th – was going to be something exceptional. 

“When I visited the site with the trail trust back in 2018, I knew this would be a special bridge. Not only its beautiful Otago location but also its history.”

Suspended over Specularite Gully, the bridge was built in just four months, from concept design to the completion of construction. 

The judges noted the timber and steel used in the bridge’s construction to ensure it would blend into the local environment, and said the $240,000 cost represented “real value for money”.

“The social outcomes of this work as part of the Dunstan trail have enabled a whole new cycling industry to establish in the area with further support to the existing hospitality and accommodation businesses,” they said.

The bridge is named after Irish philanthropist and businessman the late Hugh Green, known in Ireland as Hugo. His eldest daughter Maryanne Green, founded the Hugo Charitable Trust in May 2017 to continue her father’s philanthropic legacy.

“The trustees and friends of the Hugo Charitable Trust are delighted that the Hugo Bridge has been recognised as an outstanding engineering feat,” Trust chair Mark Owens said.

“The award is especially pleasing because our founder's father, Hugh Green, made much of his wealth from civil engineering, and we are sure he would have been impressed by the design and quality of the bridge.”

Hugh Green would likely have also been impressed with the construction challenges the bridge presented. The 30 tons of materials were pre constructed and flown across the lake. 

Daily access was by boat, with the crew of four commuting each day via jet boat.

The tower poles were only just flyable, and once the towers were built they had to be raised vertically by helicopter. 

This was the most critical operation and was perfectly executed.

Hirepool general manager Gary Richardson (Civil Contractors New Zealand’s principal business partner and premier sponsor for the awards) said the quality of award applications received this year was extremely high.

“These awards are always a highlight of the year as they provide an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the best in the industry, and celebrate the skill, tenacity and ingenuity of civil contractors up and down New Zealand,” he said. 

“The commitment and expertise of this year’s winners is legendary.”

Martin Wilson said he was proud of Abseil Access’ contribution to the Lake Dunstan track, and winning the award was “a great acknowledgement to our dedication to building bridges for the New Zealand network of cycle trails”.

The awards were presented in front of a crowd of more than 600 people at a black-tie awards dinner hosted at the conclusion of the Civil Contractors New Zealand National Conference in Christchurch.