The Transport Agency is urging motorists to factor extra time into their travel plans, to allow for a 24 hour closure next week of the Beaumont Bridge on State highway 8 between Milton and Alexandra.
The closure which runs from 7am on Wednesday 13 May to 7pm on Thursday 14 May 2015 is so a load bearing beam beneath the bridge can be replaced.
A full closure of the bridge is essential to carry out this work. The job should be completed within 24 hours, but may have to be extended if there are any unexpected issues.
Well-signposted detours are available. Traffic to Central Otago should on reaching Balclutha, turn right into either Gormack Street or Barnego Road - both are on the north side of the town, to travel to Beaumont via Clydevale.
The detour for traffic travelling from Central Otago starts at Beaumont and ends in Balclutha. Motorists should allow for the additional 20km this detour will add to their trip.
Depending on their permit, some overweight vehicles may need to detour through Tapanui via State highway 90 Rae Junction to McNab, just north of Gore, The detour adds an additional 80km of travel.
HPMV and 50 Max and overweight performance vehicles need to check which of the detours they can use by phoning the Transport Agency on 03 951 3009.
State highway 85 from Palmerston to Alexandra is another option for vehicles travelling to Central Otago.
The latest information about the closure will be available on www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link) or on 0800 44 44 49.
