A contractor has been secured to repaint and carry out maintenance on the Victoria Street Bridge in Cambridge.
Waipā District Council last week awarded the contract for the work to InterGroup Ltd.
Council transportation manager Bryan Hudson says Council is now working closely with the contractor to understand how the re-painting and maintenance work would be carried out.
“We are looking at what order each task will be done in and how long scaffolding will be needed on the bridge.
“This information along with the weight of the scaffolding, will determine how traffic movement across the bridge may be affected during the project.”
There will be times when the bridge will be reduced to one lane of traffic and potentially short periods (i.e. overnight) when it will be fully closed to vehicles. Council’s goal is to keep two-lanes of traffic open on the bridge for as much of the project as possible.
“It is a careful balancing act as we try to minimise the impact on traffic while ensuring the work can be done as quickly and safely as possible,” Hudson says.
“We are also continuing to explore how Council can reduce the impact on Cambridge traffic. This includes looking at park and ride options in Leamington and working with local primary schools to set up walking school busses.”
Once Council has agreed how the work will be carried out and understands the weight of the scaffolding, it will be able to advise a detailed traffic management plan. This is expected to be in October.
“We want to make sure the community is well aware of what to expect while work is underway. So, we’ll be advertising in the local newspapers and online, using social media and website messaging, plus other channels before work commencing.”
Even if the bridge is reduced to one lane of traffic for short times during the project, pedestrians and cyclists will still continue to have safe two-way access.
Hudson says if all goes to plan and weather allows, work to scaffold the bridge will start in the coming months. All work is expected to be complete May-June 2023.
The Ferguson Bridge (low-level bridge on Shakespeare Street) will remain open throughout the project period.
