Further closures of Tauwharenīkau Bridge on SH53 are set to take place over the next few months as part of planned repairs.
The next stage [as previously reported by the Times-Age] will be starting on Monday, April 15, and will involve installing scaffolding and then installing a specialised jack to lift up the bridge so corroded bearings can be replaced, with the bridge closed between 7am and 5pm on Monday, April 15 and Tuesday, April 16, and Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23.
The bridge will also be closed 7am-5pm on weekdays from Monday, April 29 until early June [there will be no weekend closures].
“When the bridge is open, it will be for light vehicles only and subject to a 30 kph temporary speed limit,” a New Zealand Transport Agency spokesperson said.
“The bridge will be on jacks, so it cannot carry heavy vehicles, which must use the detour route from Monday, 29 April. While local road detours will be available via Camp Rd and No1 Line, the bridge and highway closure will mean drivers heading to and from Martinborough can expect longer travel times.”
