Breakneck Road Bridge replacement begins

Work to replace the Breakneck Road Bridge, which crosses the Waianakarua River at Graves Dam, is due to begin at the end of February and be completed by the end of June.

Council’s Roading Assets Manager, Michael Voss, said Council has been in contact with local residents to advise them of the project commencement and the detour that will be in place for the duration of the project.

“During construction of the new bridge, the road over the bridge into the Herbert Forest will be closed and a detour in place via Road Metal Otago’s gravel pit and Reid Road. This will be clearly sign-posted and maintained by Council, and an alternative detour is also in place.”

Mr Voss said the bridge replacement has been scheduled for several years and is expected to take around 16 weeks to complete.

“The existing Howe Truss Bridge is past its useful life and has weight and speed restrictions in place. The cost of maintaining it is becoming uneconomic, so replacing it with a new bridge is the only viable option.”

The replacement bridge will be a steel beam and concrete deck type, wider than the existing bridge to accomodate a safer passage for pedestrians.

The project will be completed by Lund South Limited at a cost of $393,000.

Mr Voss said Council apologises for any inconvenience caused during the replacement and thanks those affected for their patience and cooperation.