The NZ Transport Agency’s West Coast contracting team will be helping KiwiRail complete urgent repairs to a rail joint on the Taramakau Road-Rail Bridge this coming Friday, 6 October, between 9.30 am and 3 pm.
The work will require three 15-minute closures between these hours so people are encouraged to build in extra time between 9.30 am and 3 pm, if they cross the Taramakau River between Kumara Junction and Greymouth during these hours.
More work to come – 26/27 October, overnight Thursday to Friday morning
Later in the month, resurfacing works on the Taramakau Bridge will require work overnight with the bridge opening at the top of the hour only to clear traffic, 9 pm through to 6 am, Thursday to Friday, 26 and 27 October.
This work is needed to ensure the bridge is ready for summer traffic ahead of the new road bridge opening by the end of 2018.(external link)
People travelling between Greymouth and Jacksons/ SH73 can avoid the Taramakau Bridge route and take SH7 from Greymouth to Kaiata, Stillwater and through to Moana and Jacksons, however, this adds up to an hour to the 35 minute SH6/ SH73 route, so it is still shorter simply to wait at the bridge for the opening at the top of each hour, says Transport Agency Journey Manager Lee Wright.
“Thanks to all drivers for being patient with these necessary closures for urgent maintenance.”
