Beaumont Bridge night closures in March, open on the hour

Bridge strengthening work on the Beaumont Bridge, which spans the Clutha River on State Highway 8, will require it to be closed for up to ten nights, with hourly traffic openings, early to mid-March.

The work will run from Monday, 7 March to Thursday, 17 March between the hours of 7pm to 6am, Monday to Thursday nights inclusive.  The work is weather dependent and will be extended beyond 17 March if it is wet. 

Drivers will be able to get across every hour on the hour from 7 pm to 6 am, said NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager Graeme Hall. Electronic signs will advertise the closure times at the nearby junction of SH1 and SH8 and in Beaumont itself at Rongahere Road. 

• A detour route will be in place via Balclutha and Clydevale for light vehicles (cars) and heavy vehicles weighing 44 tonnes or less, due to bridge restrictions at Clydevale. This detour route adds an extra 45 minutes travel time. 

• Any drivers of overweight vehicle (eg HPMV) will need to use an alternative approved route. 

• Emergency vehicles will be given urgent access through the site at all times. 

Overnight drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes such as State Highway 85, Dunedin to Palmerston.