Taramakau Bridge to be closed for safety improvements

The Transport Agency has confirmed the timing for next month’s extended closures of the Taramakau road/rail Bridge on State Highway 6 near Greymouth, so safety improvement work can be carried out on the entrances to the bridge.

Two 12-hour closures are planned from 8pm Saturday 13 June to 8am Sunday 14 June and then again at the same times, from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 28 June.

The NZ Transport Agency’s Regional Performance Manager Pete Connors says the closures are necessary to enable KiwiRail to install rubber mats on the bridge approaches to improve safety for both motorcyclists and cyclists. Between 2005 and 2014, there were eight serious crashes involving motorcyclists on or near the bridge.

“The work is costing an estimated $360,000, requires the removal of a 50 metre section of track at each end of the bridge and replacing it with new track and concrete sleepers. To do this a large amount of material has to be removed at the ends of the bridge and the foundations for the track reinstated.”

The installation will be carried out by a team of Kiwirail staff who have experience with this safety system, with the job being overseen by a representative of the European manufacturer of the matting. It’s the first time this particular type of matting has been used on a road bridge in New Zealand.

Mr Connors says the closures have been scheduled to minimise disruptions for road users and any clashes with any major events in the region. A detour route using local roads will be available via Jacksons, Stillwater and Moana and adds about 90 minutes to journey times.

“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience these closures will cause motorists, however this safety work is critical and we need a couple of 12-hour windows plus some good weather, to successfully complete this work.”

He says motorists are urged to plan their journey during these closures and allow plenty of extra time for their travel. If the trip isn’t essential during the closures periods, they may want to consider re-scheduling their trip outside of the bridge closure times.

Access across the bridge will be maintained for emergency vehicle during these closures.

The latest information about this work will be available atwww.highwayinfo.govt.nz or on 0800 44 44 49.

ENDS

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