Kelburn Viaduct

Heritage object

Glenmore Street to Upland Road, Kelburn, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC Archives 00205_11_1398_003
Image: WCC Archives 00205_11_1398_003
Map

  • Constructed

    1930 - 1931

  • Architect(s)

    WCC City Engineer's Department

  • Builder(s)

    Walter Hodges

  • The Kelburn Viaduct is an impressive engineering structure and is a notable example of reinforced concrete design. The design is high quality and the viaduct as a whole has a high visual impact. The viaduct is essentially a utilitarian structure, but it has still been designed with some ornamentation on/in the form of the piers, lamp-posts, and balustrading, which are reminiscent of Art Deco.  The viaduct was constructed using materials and techniques appropriate to the period and is an elegantly engineered structure.

    The Kelburn Viaduct is most closely associated with the people who designed and constructed it. The City Engineer of the time Mr. G.A. Hart is named on the bronze plaque at one entrance to the viaduct. The main contractor of the viaduct was Mr. Walter Hodges. It is also associated with the Wellington City Council and Mayor of the time Mr. G.A. Troup, whose name, along with all of the city councillors, is marked on a plaque at the other entrance to the viaduct.

    As a still working structure with its origins in the first half of the twentieth century, the piers, reinforced concrete, and deep reinforced foundations represent a considerable accomplishment in structural engineering in an earthquake prone area of New Zealand.

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  • close History
    • As the population of Wellington increased in the late 19th and early 20th centuries the need for suburban expansion became ever more pressing. Large tracts of land in what are now the suburbs of Kelburn, Karori, and Northland were available for development, but the hilly and difficult terrain meant that the problem of access would need to be overcome prior to these areas being opened up for residential use. The Kelburn and Karori Tramway acted as the front gate to these suburbs, while the Kelburn Viaduct provided the back gate access to the suburbs and the city, quickly making these suburbs some of the most popular and affluent in Wellington. 

      The original wooden Kelburn Viaduct was constructed c.1900 to designs of James Fulton who was also responsible for the designs of the Kelburn and Karori Tramway. By the 1920s the safety of this viaduct was being questioned, having been through several sets of repairs by this time, and it had been recognised that the viaduct was no longer fully meeting traffic requirements.  Despite the pressure that the economic downturn, what would become the Great depression, was placing upon New Zealand, it was at this time that a programme of major transport and infrastructure improvements was undertaken instigated by the Mayor Mr. G.A. Troup. 

      By 1929 it had been decided to replace the old Kelburn Viaduct, and designs for the plans and specifications by the City Engineer, at the time Mr. G.A. Hart, were selected.  The proposed structure was to be a pylon design, 350ft in length with a width of 32ft, which allowed for a 22ft roadway and 5ft footpaths on either side.  The construction of the viaduct was put out to tender, with the City Council noting that the amount authorised by ratepayers for the viaduct would be £24200.  In December 1929 the tender of Mr. W. Hodges was accepted for the construction of a reinforced concrete structure to replace the Kelburn Viaduct for £21439.  

      Construction of the viaduct began in 1930 with the first three to four months of work being concentrated below ground. Heavy excavation work was carried out in order to reach solid ground for the concrete pier foundations. Once the foundations were in place the boxing and reinforcing rods were able to rise rapidly.  The construction of the viaduct was to be three concrete girders resting on two concrete piers with steel reinforcing throughout. By December of 1930 the central arch of the viaduct had been completed, excepting the final plastering and smoothing of the balustrades, which at the time were observed as an attractive feature that gave an artistic finish to the structure.  

      By the end of April 1931 it was only the paving of the approaches and the decking of the bridge that was still to be completed ahead of the official opening on the 2nd of May. The new concrete Kelburn Viaduct was opened by the Mayor, Mr. G.A. Troup, and the ribbons across the entrance were cut by the Mayoress. 

      The opening was fraught with some tension over the placement of bronze plaques that were to commemorate the work. The terms of the contract provided for a plaque to be erected at the entrance of the viaduct. Designed by the engineer, the plate was simple and read: ‘Wellington City Council. Kelburn Viaduct, constructed 1931’, and in small type at the base was inscribed the name of the responsible engineer. This was not met with support from the Mayor, who preferred a more elaborate design that bore his own name. In response a number of city councillors also suggested that their names should be present, and at one time it was suggested that it should bear the names of all city councillors, the chief administrative officers, and all other officers of the council. Eventually a compromise was found and two plaques were to be made, one on each side of the viaduct, one following the original design, and the other bearing the name of the Mayor and all city councillors.  

      The final viaduct was built of reinforced concrete, 234 ft long between the abutments, and was constructed in three spans of 72ft, 74ft, and 72ft. The height of the deck above Glenmore Street was 65ft at the time of opening. The viaduct was an important link between Upland Road and the upper level of Glenmore Street, and made an important connection between the main trunk route between Kelburn, Northland, and Karori. 

      The viaduct has had few changes or modifications made to it since its completion in 1931. By 1939, following a number of suicides and several accidental deaths, it was suggested that the balustrades be altered to make it more difficult for people to climb onto them. It appears that this did not occur until 1972/72 when the original balustrades between the piers were demolished and the existing balustrades constructed.  The piers and entrances to the viaduct remain unchanged. 

      The Kelburn Viaduct is an attractive and well engineered structure that remains in use linking Kelburn, Karori, and Northland to the city. The structure has significant aesthetic and townscape value for its monumental appearance and well proportioned design. The viaduct reflects an important and representative aspect of Wellington, and New Zealand history, notably the development of infrastructure to deal with the terrain and to facilitate suburban expansion and increased transport needs. 

  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      Built of reinforced concrete the structure is a pylon design, 234 ft long between the abutments, and was constructed in three spans of 72ft, 74ft, and 72ft. The height of the deck above Glenmore Street was 65ft at the time of opening. The viaduct is essentially a utilitarian structure, but it has still been designed with some ornamentation on/in the form of the piers, lamp-posts, and balustrading, which are reminiscent of Art Deco.  

    • Materials close
      Reinforced concrete construction, plaster
    • Setting close

      The Kelburn Viaduct is an imposing visual structure in the landscape and is visible from a number of vantages along upper and lower Glenmore Street and Upland Road. It is a landmark feature of Kelburn and the road to Karori and Northland.   

  • close Cultural Value
    • The Kelburn Viaduct is an impressive engineering structure and is a notable example of reinforced concrete design. The design is high quality and the viaduct as a whole has a high visual impact. The viaduct is essentially a utilitarian structure, but it has still been designed with some ornamentation on/in the form of the piers, lamp-posts, and balustrading, which are reminiscent of Art Deco.  The viaduct was constructed using materials and techniques appropriate to the period and is an elegantly engineered structure.
    • The Kelburn Viaduct is most closely associated with the people who designed and constructed it. The City Engineer of the time Mr. G.A. Hart is named on the bronze plaque at one entrance to the viaduct. The main contractor of the viaduct was Mr. Walter Hodges. It is also associated with the Wellington City Council and Mayor of the time Mr. G.A. Troup, whose name, along with all of the city councillors, is marked on a plaque at the other entrance to the viaduct.
    • As a still working structure with its origins in the first half of the twentieth century, the piers, reinforced concrete, and deep reinforced foundations represent a considerable accomplishment in structural engineering in an earthquake prone area of New Zealand.
    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        The Kelburn Viaduct is an impressive engineering structure and is a notable example of reinforced concrete design. The design is high quality and the viaduct as a whole has visual impact. The viaduct is essentially a utilitarian structure, but it has still been designed with some ornamentation on/in the form of the piers, lamp-posts, and balustrading, which are reminiscent of Art Deco.  The viaduct was constructed using materials and techniques appropriate to the period and is an elegantly engineered structure.

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        The structure has significant aesthetic and townscape value for its monumental appearance and well proportioned design. It is an imposing visual structure in the landscape and is visible from a number of vantages along upper and lower Glenmore Street and Upland Road. It is a landmark feature of Kelburn and the road to Karori and Northland. It is of townscape value for the interest that it contributes to the approach to and exit from Kelburn, Karori, and Northland and is of townscape value as it links the city with these suburbs.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        The Kelburn Viaduct is most closely associated with the people who designed and constructed it. The City Engineer of the time Mr. G.A. Hart is named on the bronze plaque at one entrance to the viaduct. The main contractor of the viaduct was Mr. Walter Hodges. It is also associated with the Wellington City Council and Mayor of the time Mr. G.A. Troup, whose name, along with all of the city councillors, is marked on a plaque at one entrance to the viaduct.

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

        The viaduct has had a general history, being associated with suburban expansion and development into Kelburn, Karori, and Northland. 

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

        Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

        The risk of accidental discovery is unknown.

      • Educational

        Does the item have educational value for what it can demonstrate about aspects of the past?

        There is educational value in the original materials that are present, and the viaduct has the potential to illustrate construction techniques from the time. It is a physical reminder of the ways in which the difficult Wellington terrain was dealt with to facilitate suburban expansion and the increasing transportation needs as the motor car became more popular. 

      • Technological

        Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

        As a still working structure with its origins in the first half of the twentieth century, the piers, reinforced concrete, and deep reinforced foundations represent a considerable accomplishment in structural engineering in an earthquake prone area of New Zealand.

    • Social Value close

      • Identity - Sense of Place - Continuity

        Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

        The Kelburn Viaduct is an important historic object that has become a feature in the Wellington community, particularly for those who live in Kelburn, Karori, and Northland, for whom the viaduct will be a feature of daily life. The viaduct contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in Wellington and acts as an important link between the city and the suburbs. 

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Representative

        Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

        The Kelburn Viaduct is a good example of a reinforced concrete structure, built in materials, to a design, and using techniques appropriate to the period. It reflects important and representative elements of Wellington’s history, notably suburban expansion in the first half of the twentieth century. 

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        The Kelburn Viaduct maintains a high level of historic authenticity and integrity as it has been through few changes since its construction. The loss of the original balustrading in 1972 is unfortunate, but the replacement has been sympathetically constructed and the piers and entrances were left in their original state so this has only had a minor affect upon the heritage value of the viaduct. 

      • Importance

        Is the item important at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        The Kelburn Viaduct is a locally important historic object due to its long history linking Wellington city to the hill suburbs of Kelburn, Karori, and Northland. It makes a significant contribution to Upper and Lower Glenmore Street and Upland Road and can be understood as the opposite entrance to these suburbs to that provided by the Cable Car. It is representative of the suburban development of Wellington and presents an interesting element of Wellington’s history. It retains significant original materials and despite the loss of original features has a high level of authenticity. 

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      11/27

    • Legal Description

      Road Reserve

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/Historic place 3333

    • Archaeological Site

      Risk unknown

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Unknown

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • ‘Kelburn Viaduct’. Evening Post. 5 November 1928, Page 10.
      • ‘Kelburn Viaduct’. Evening Post. 19 August 1929, Page 11.
      • ‘Proposed Kelburn Viaduct’. Evening Post. 17 October 1929, Page 7.
      • ‘New Kelburn Viaduct’. Auckland Star. 5 December 1929, Page 9.
      • ‘Viaduct work now showing up well’. Evening Post. 15 April 1930, Page 9.
      • ‘Kelburn Viaduct’. Evening Post. 18 December 1930, Page 10.
      • ‘Bronze Plates’. Evening Post. 2 May 1931, Page 10.
      • Wellington City Archive, 000205:46:2347:001-002.
      • Wellington City Archive, 000205:11:1398:001-006.
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 9/25/2017 8:45:08 PM