The NZ Transport Agency says it will work hard to minimise delays for the motorists when it carries out repairs to Friends Creek Bridge No 3 on State Highway 6 between Whataro and Franz Josef later this week.
NZ Transport Agency Area Manager Mark Pinner says work on the single span bridge built in 1935 starts on Wednesday 30 May and will be carried out at night between 10pm and 5am to minimise delays for road users. The job should be completed in one night - if the weather is unfavourable it will be done on the following night, Thursday 31 May.
“The work being undertaken by Ferguson Contracting is necessary to fix minor settlement on the bridge approaches caused by the loss of some material from behind the bridge abutments. This has been gradually removed by flooding at various times over many years. There is no immediate threat to the safety of the bridge and the planned repair is relatively inexpensive compared with reconstructing and deepening the bridge abutments. This approach to the repair was successfully used about 15 years ago to fix similar issues at two other bridges in the area.”
Mr Pinner said because the work is being carried out late at night it should cause little disruption for motorists. While not a lot of freight is moved on this route, truck operators have been told about the work. Emergency access across the bridge will also be provided if needed he said.
