NZ Transport Agency – Southern region
12 November 2011

Floodlighting to keep SH 82 Waitaki Bridges open overnight

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is using floodlighting to monitor scouring at a pier on the Waitaki Bridges on State Highway (SH82) near Kurow, allowing the bridges to open overnight from tonight.

The Bridges were closed between 8pm to 7am on Thursday and last night as a precautionary measure, because it was to dark to monitor the pier for scouring. An inspection of the pier this morning showed it remains solid and the bridge re-opened just after 7am.

NZTA Highways Operation Manager Peter Connors says the floodlighting is being installed today in time for the bridges to open tonight and allows around-the-clock monitoring of the pier. This will continue to see whether scouring around it back fills with gravel from the river.

“If this does not happen it may be necessary to under pin the pier, but a decision on that could be at least a week away. Another nearby pier was successfully underpinned recently.”

Mr Connors says the NZTA understands how important the bridges are to the community and we felt this was the best solution to keeping them open over night. The Agency appreciates the patience of the community during the two overnight closures this week.

ENDS

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