High level bridge to close overnight

The Victoria Bridge in Cambridge will be closed overnight next week for routine maintenance and an inspection of the deck.

The bridge will be closed to traffic from 6pm on Thursday 22 April to around 2am Friday 23 April while the work is underway but will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists. Vehicles will be diverted to the low level bridge on Shakespeare Street.

Waipā District Council transportation manager Bryan Hudson said the inspection was one in a series being carried out by Waipā District Council to assess the current condition and future maintenance requirements of the high level bridge.

“The inspections have looked at various sections of the bridge assessing whether there are any issues which may need to be addressed so we can make sure it continues to be fit for purpose.”

Hudson said the inspection would involve five small 30mm core holes and a shallow 250mm hole being drilled into the deck of the bridge which will provide samples of each of its layers.

“We are also undertaking ground penetrating radar scanning which will allow us to assess the overall condition of the deck and the quality and condition of the concrete and reinforcing steel.

“Depending on the results, we’ll be able to identify any work that may need to be carried out when the bridge is scaffolded for repainting in two years’ time.”

Once the samples have been taken, the holes will be backfilled with epoxy resin which will not affect the strength of the bridge.

Other minor maintenance work such as touching up the paint on the hand rails, replacing the rubber strips along the footpath and cleaning the drains will also be carried out during the overnight closure.

Hudson said a full repaint of the bridge and structural maintenance work was planned in the 2022/23 financial year.

“All the reports we have commissioned so far have told us we are on top of maintenance and the bridge is in good condition and is suitable for how it is currently used.

“This work will give us the opportunity to address any areas that may have the potential to become weaknesses in the future to ensure it remains in good condition.”

An analysis of the recent inspections will be presented to Council later this year.