Bad weather over the weekend, caused unexpected traffic hold ups during first of two planned 12 hour overnight closures of the Taramakau Bridge on State Highway 6 near Greymouth.
The bridge was closed from 8pm Saturday 13 June to 8am Sunday 14 June, so safety improvements could be carried out on the entrances to the bridge. This includes installing rubber mats on the bridge approaches to improve safety for both motorcyclists and cyclists. Another closure will occur again at the same times, from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 28 June 2015.
Transport Agency Regional Performance Manager Pete Connors says the planned 8am opening yesterday, was delayed by two hours due to trying weather conditions and the work taking longer than anticipated. We will be working closely with Kiwrail to ensure the final closure needed for this work from 8pm Saturday 27 June to 8am Sunday 28 June, doesn’t see a repeat of these delays.
About 100 vehicles were queued at the bridge when it finally opened just after 10am yesterday. The Transport Agency and Kiwirail would like to apologise for this and thank road users for their patience.
Mr Connors said the job is still expected to be completed as planned from 8pm Saturday 27 June to 8am Sunday 28 June.
For the latest on this work please: phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS – 0800 44 44 49 or visit the website www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link).
