MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND DUNEDIN REGIONAL OFFICE

25 January 2008
Seismic upgrade on SH6 Kawarau River Bridge

Transit New Zealand has commenced work on the seismic (earthquake) strengthening of the State Highway 6 Bridge over the Kawarau River next to the AJ Hackett Bungy Bridge near Queenstown.

Transit Area Engineer for Central Otago, John Jarvis says the work on the1963 steel arch bridge consists of providing lateral and longitudinal bracing and restraint to the bridge as well as 25m long anchors into the surrounding rock at the bridge arch ends.

“Motorists won’t be able to see much from the road as all the work will be happening below the bridge deck, although people will be able to see the work from the nearby AJ Hackett Bungy site.

“There will be some very minor delays and speed restrictions to motorists to prevent movement of the bridge as critical welding is done over the next few weeks.”

The work is expected to be completed in April.

The $700,000 contract has been awarded to Fulton Hogan Central and specialist anchoring subcontractor Construction Techniques Ltd. The design was undertaken by Opus International Consultants.

The earthquake strengthening of the SH6 Kawarau River Bridge is part of Transit’s ongoing National Seismic Retrofitting programme to upgrade bridges to current seismic standards.

ENDS

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