The Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge on SH1 reopens for light traffic at 10 pm tonight, 1 June.*  The bridge will have two-way traffic, restricted to 30 km/ hour in each direction.

 The bridge was closed this morning after drivers reported slumping on the deck at the Ashburton end. This evening it was load tested using a crane and 14 tonne weights by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

 “The damaged pier, which sunk around 150mm during the recent one-in-100-year floods, is stable, based on the monitoring data received tonight,” says Pete Connors, System Manager for Waka Kotahi.

“Based on these results under load testing pressure each lane, the bridge can take light traffic,” he says.

 Mr Connors thanked all local people and regular users of the bridge for their patience while this essential, precautionary load-testing was undertaken. He urged people to take it slowly on not just this bridge but local roads in coming days.

 “Many roads will need patching and repairs after being under water and damaged by debris for 48 hours. There will be temporary speed limits in several places around the Canterbury region while crews catch up with that work.”

 There is no access for pedestrians or cyclists at this stage.

 A bridge closure Wednesday, 10 am to 2 pm

Load testing for heavier traffic (trucks) will be underway on Wednesday, 2 June, and there will be a late morning to early afternoon bridge closure involved. This will be 10 am to 2 pm.

 Repairs

“Waka Kotahi’s bridge engineers are working on the longer-term solutions for this bridge’s pier and we will keep the community informed as that is developed,” says Mr Connors.