As bridge gets spruced up, slow down is the message
Motorists are being urged to drive slowly as welders prepare to strengthen a bridge on State Highway 3 south of Whanganui.
Scaffolding has gone up around the Whangaehu River Bridge, about 5 kilometres north of Rātana, as contractors prepare to complete strengthening work and paint the 110-metre-long bridge from Tuesday.
Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, for the first seven weeks of the project, a spokesperson for the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said.
A reduced speed limit of 30kph will also be in place during the daytime work hours, which could cause travel delays of up to 10 minutes. The strengthening work will involve welding additional steel plates to existing beams, requiring traffic vibration to be reduced.
“Because of this, it’s crucial all temporary speed limits are adhered to while this important bridge maintenance work is under way,” the spokesperson said.
“Traffic queues will be closely monitored, and motorists are advised to expect changes in traffic management as crews aim to minimise vibrations on the bridge and delay times for travellers.
“All of the work is taking place understand the bridge and while it won’t be visible to motorists passing by, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is reminding people to drive carefully and adhere to the temporary traffic management, speeds and signage in place.”
Scaffolding set up under the bridge will also aid painters who will begin applying protective coatings to the three spans of the bridge. Crews will paint the first and third spans of the bridge, before returning to complete the central span of the bridge later in the year, the spokesperson said.
“It is safe to access the bridge. These works are about extending its longevity.”
The overall project was expected to be completed by September.