The NZ Transport Agency will begin strengthening work next week on the Maharakeke Bridge on State Highway 2 south of Waipukurau.
NZ Transport Agency’s Regional Transport Systems Manager Wayne Oldfield say the strengthening work is expected to take around 19 weeks and involves bolting steel angle iron underneath the bridge.
“In order for this to take place contractors will need to drill 6000 holes for the bolts. This work will enable High Productivity Motor Vehicles to utilise the bridge due to its increased strength,” Mr Oldfield says.
“For much of the project, traffic management will likely be the only activity visible to the general public, as the work is happening under the bridge.”
Two lanes will still be available to traffic throughout the strengthening process, but speed restrictions will be in place.
For the first 13 weeks the speed limit will vary between 50-70 kph, and over the final six weeks a 30kph speed restriction will be enforced with the use of speed bumps in order to allow grout in the drilled holes to cure.
VMS boards will also be at either end of the bridge updating motorists on speed restrictions.
