Information day for new Reid’s Canal bridge to be held on Wednesday 30 June

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will hold an information day to discuss the construction of the replacement bridge over Reid’s Canal. It will be held in the Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall on the corner of Kauri and Main Streets from 3pm till 7pm on Wednesday 30 June.

Building the bridge will require traffic to be detoured around the site during the 12 month construction period. The proposed detour involves diverting traffic along Hydro, McCracken and Western Drain Roads. The NZTA has carried out a safety assessment of the proposed route. The assessment highlighted ways to mitigate the effects of extra traffic.

At the information day, people will be able to view the plans for the proposed detour and speak to the project team. Information about the new bridge will also be available to view.

The new bridge is planned to replace the existing 76 year old bridge which suffered damage during the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake and again in the June 2004 flood. It’ll be longer and higher providing more floodway clearance and protecting the bridge from future flood damage. It’ll be 3.8 metres wider, providing a safer environment for all road users. The higher bridge means new approaches will be needed. Ramps up to 300 metres long on each side will be built, making the bridge more than two metres higher than the existing structure.

The NZTA anticipates construction will begin mid-2011.

ENDS

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