NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will start repairs early next week on the SH1 Rangitata River bridge after damage to a pile was discovered during regular maintenance. The work is scheduled take place over three weeks.

There are no concerns around the stability of the bridge, meaning most traffic will be able to cross as normal. However, as a precaution, some overweight or over-dimension vehicles will need to take an inland detour while the repairs are completed.

• Overweight traffic will not be permitted for vehicles travelling in the southbound lane towards Orari/Timaru.
• The northbound lane for those travelling towards Hinds/ Ashburton will remain accessible to overweight vehicles.
• Overweight traffic that requires vehicles to travel along the centre of the bridge will not be permitted in either direction (e.g. relocatable houses, mobile cranes, transporters with or without a pilot vehicle).

NZTA is encouraging drivers and operators of these vehicles to check with the Timaru and Ashburton District councils to get their permits altered for the inland routes. Ashburton District Council advises operators to contact the Council’s Roading team at hcv@adc.govt.nz

A full, permanent replacement of the pile is planned for a later date and is likely to take around eight weeks to install.