Road users travelling on State Highway 3 (SH3) south of Whanganui are asked to please slow down and adhere to temporary speeds while important bridge maintenance works take place.
From Tuesday 7 May, between the hours of 7.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, stop/go traffic management will be in place at Whangaehu River Bridge on SH3 due to bridge strengthening works. A reduced speed limit of 30km/h will be in place during these daytime work hours, and delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.
This daytime traffic management is expected to be in place for about 7 weeks. Outside of work hours, traffic management will be removed and the road will operate as normal.
This strengthening work involves welding additional steel plates to existing beams and requires traffic vibration to be minimised. Because of this, it’s crucial all temporary speed limits are adhered to while this important bridge maintenance work is underway.
Traffic queues will be closely monitored, and motorists are advised to expect changes in traffic management as crews aim to minimise vibrations on the bridge and delay times for travellers.
As well as strengthening work, the bridge is also being painted and scaffolding has been set up underneath the bridge. This paint work involves applying protective coatings to all three spans of the 110-metre-long bridge that stretches over the Whangaehu River.
Following the painting of the first span, crews will move to paint the third span, and then finally paint the second span later this year.
All of the work is taking place underneath the bridge and while it won’t be visible to motorists passing by, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is reminding people to drive carefully and adhere to the temporary traffic management, speeds and signage in place.
The overall project, including painting the final span, is expected to be completed by September this year.
It is safe to access the bridge, these works are about extending its longevity. Safety for all road users is a priority for NZTA, and regular bridge inspections are carried out to ensure all state highway bridges in New Zealand remain safe.
NZTA wants to thank all users of the bridge and local communities for their support while this work is carried out.
The bridge with scaffolding set up.
