8 February 2011

Swollen river forces overnight closure of Waitaki Bridges

High rivers levels have lead to a decision by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to close the Waitaki Bridges near Kurow tonight, as a precautionary measure.

They will be closed to all traffic apart from emergency vehicles between 8.30pm and 6am tomorrow morning.

NZTA Area Manager Colin Hey says the move to close the bridges was not taken lightly, but road user safety is paramount in this situation. Flows in the Waitaki River have now hit 1500 cumecs and are likely to stay at or exceed those levels overnight.

“Another factor in the overnight closure, is that not all of the debris left behind by last month’s flooding has been cleared away yet, and may accelerate and cause scouring around the aging bridge piers”

Mr Hey says further overnight closures cannot be ruled out if river flows do not ease. The NZTA's contactors will be on site overnight to monitor the bridges. Emergency service vehicles only will be permitted to use the bridge.

ENDS