Fulton Bridge Lift-over
Christchurch Bridge Lift: Engineering Precision in Action
When Christchurch’s Bridge Street bridge was raised in December 2013, it wasn’t just another repair job. It was the first operation of its kind in Australasia — and it set a new standard for precision engineering.
From Stanley Street to Bridge Street
HTC had already proven its heavy-lift expertise back in 2003, when the 2,300-tonne Stanley Street railway bridge in Auckland was slid 17 metres into place. Back then, the team relied on hydraulic jacks synchronized by workers with walkie-talkies and whistles.
Fast-forward 11 years, and the Bridge Street project took things to a new level. This time, HTC used a touch-screen-controlled system that managed 72 hydraulic rams, each with a lifting capacity of 100 tonnes.
Why the Lift Was Needed
The 2011 Christchurch earthquakes left the Bridge Street bridge slumped by as much as 200mm, twisting its abutments and closing the link between Bexley, South New Brighton, and the central city.
One lane reopened in 2012 for city-bound traffic only.
Residents faced a 5km detour for over a year.
A long-term solution was urgently needed.
Enter the SyncMaster Technology
In 2013, HTC invested $1 million in five Durapac SyncMaster synchronised lifting systems — the first of their kind in Australasia.
Up to 128 lifting points can be controlled from a single screen.
Accuracy is within 0.5mm.
The system automatically monitors load and subsidence, pausing if anything shifts out of tolerance.
For the Bridge Street bridge, HTC set up 72 lifting points across the abutments and piers. Fulton Hogan, the lead contractor, prepared the site with deep foundations (up to 38m) to stabilise the lift.
The Lift in Action
Setup began: 5 December 2013
Lift completed: 16 December 2013
Duration: Just over 24 hours
HTC’s five-person team, led by Christchurch Branch Manager Daniel Brice, worked alongside Fulton Hogan. Veteran engineer Stuart Smith, who helped build the bridge in 1980, even came out of retirement to advise.
Brice explained:
“We had six lifting positions across the width of the bridge at the abutments, and on the two piers we fitted a whole bunch of small, low-height rams. Once all 72 rams were connected, everything was controlled from the synchronised lifting system on deck.”
Once raised, temporary packing was inserted to support the bridge while repairs to the twisted abutments were carried out. The bridge would later be lowered back into place once repairs were complete.
Beyond the Bridge
The Bridge Street project wasn’t just about restoring a vital community link. It also:
Demonstrated the power and precision of HTC’s new SyncMaster systems.
Attracted global industry attention after Fulton Hogan and HTC opened the site to media and visitors.
Created new opportunities — the five SyncMaster units can be shipped in a single container, making them available for projects across New Zealand and Australia.
A Company Built on Innovation
HTC started life in 1982 in a Howick garden shed, founded by Roy Huskinson, a fitter by trade who supplied high-quality hydraulic tools. Over time, HTC evolved from supplying tools to planning and executing complex heavy-lift operations.
Parliament lift: HTC equipment helped raise the House of Representatives to install seismic base isolators.
Growth: More than 1,000 product lines are now sold and hired across both islands.
Services: HTC also provides calibration, rentals, and repair services, ensuring tools are tested in the real world.
In 2005, Roy’s son Robb Huskinson became Managing Director, continuing HTC’s push into larger, more complex projects.
The Legacy of Bridge Street
For Christchurch, the lift was about reconnecting communities after the devastation of the quakes.
For HTC, it was proof that a New Zealand company could deliver world-first precision lifting technology and change the way infrastructure projects are approached.
With the SyncMaster system, HTC is now positioned as a leader in synchronised heavy lifting across Australasia — delivering safer, smarter, and more efficient solutions for the region’s toughest challenges.
