Two way traffic on South Brighton’s Bridge Street bridge in three to four months

South Brighton and Southshore residents will have two-way access restored to their main bridge on Bridge Street in three to four months, aiming for September. SCIRT delivery team Fulton Hogan is planning to reopen the bridge to two-way traffic, by building temporary diversion structures around the bridge’s supporting ends or abutments.

Since September last year, residents have had a five kilometre detour via New Brighton to get home, as the work to repair the bridge constricted the space available for traffic to one lane only.

The temporary structures will improve the safe working zone for the crew responsible for jacking the bridge later this year to install the new abutments, which support the bridge vertically and laterally. Overall repairs to the bridge Street Bridge in South Brighton are progressing well.

The methodology for the bridge repair has changed due to complexities that were not anticipated originally, delaying the completion date. However, recognising the importance of the two-way traffic access, SCIRT’s Fulton Hogan team has designed a safe and creative solution. This means that although the overall rebuild will take longer, the inconvenience to the community will be not be extended.

A safe work zone for excavation will be created while allowing two- way traffic over the bridge via a temporary diversion.

What is happening next?

Work will soon start to install 350 sheet piles needed for both temporary abutments. A crawler crane will be used to install the sheet piles from the existing embankment. When the sheets are installed, the area will be backfilled to create a temporary abutment. The diversion route will then be paved and temporary traffic barriers will be installed. In September these two temporary abutments will be opened to allow for two-way traffic over the bridge.

Two-way traffic for pedestrians and cyclists over the bridge will be maintained as is currently the case. Later this year, after jacking of the bridge, the SCIRT crew will start the excavation to expose and replace the damaged abutments. These will be demolished while the bridge deck is supported on temporary piles. New piles will then be installed and the new abutment constructed on the new piles. The bridge deck will be lowered down onto the new abutments and finally the approaches to the bridge will be repaired and paved.

Work currently on site is to continue with the installation of the 35 metre temporary piles to support the bridge when it is jacked. Due to the nature of the works, when the bridge deck is jacked there will be a full road closure in place for two to three days. This is expected later this year possibly in November.

How will kayakers or yachtspeople be affected?

Recreational and sport clubs will be informed that the space on the river under the bridge will be slightly narrower because of the sheet piles. The current weight restriction on the bridge stays in place during construction.

Work to date:

Progress to date on the repair includes:

. Pier piles have been inspected and signed off by the engineers

. Pier pile caps repair work is complete on the eastern pier

. 70% of the repairs to the piers is complete

. Temporary piling on the eastern abutment has been completed. Piling is now occurring on the west side of the bridge

. Ground improvement work will start shortly.

The rebuild of the Bridge Street bridge is scheduled for completion in August 2014.

Location of the two temporary abutments (in red) to create a two way traffic route.

Earlier story on SCIRT web: http://strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/article/south-brightons-bridge-street-bridge-becoming-one-way-exit-only

ENDS

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