UPDATE: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has advised that planned repairs to Ashburton’s SH1 bridge will continue next week, weather permitting.

One of the bridge’s piers settled slightly in the high rainfall flood and bank to bank river flows at the end of May/early June. This required a day’s closure while it was assessed and tested with heavy loads. Subsequently the bridge reopened to all traffic.

Waka Kotahi Maintenance Contract Manager for South and Mid Canterbury John Keenan said there are three overnight single lane closures planned for Monday 2 August, Sunday 8 August and Monday 9 August (between 9pm and 5am).

“Overnight drivers should expect short delays in each direction.”

Full traffic closure night of 15 August

On 15 August, there will be a full night’s closure with a signposted detour route for overnight travellers.

Mr Keenan thanked all regular night drivers on this route and residents for their patience.

All emergency vehicles will be accommodated around this work as quickly as possible:

Three overnight single-lane closures are planned, using Stop/Go manual traffic management on Monday 2 August, and 8 and 9  August – 9pm to 5am for the pier repair works. The speed limit will be reduced to 30 km/hour during the single lane work.

There will be a full SH1 Ashburton River bridge closure on Sunday, 15 August. The time is likely to be 9pm to 5am. During this closure the deck will be jacked back up to level. A detour will be signposted inland for this night’s work for all road users.

Due to the repair crew working within the riverbed and the ever-changeable nature of braided river channels, there is a risk of changes to these dates in another high rainfall/river flow event.

“Works have been undertaken within the riverbed to mitigate the risk of delays under slightly elevated flows, but people need to bear in mind they could change,” Mr Keenan said.

“We will do our best to keep all road users and residents informed.”