The NZ Transport Agency’s Aspiring Highways team is preparing to start work at the Victoria Bridge on the Queenstown side of the Kawarau Gorge, SH6.

State Highway 6 will be closed at the Victoria Bridge from 10pm - 5am on Tuesday 26 March. Two further full road closures will follow over the course of the project and will be notified to the public.

From Wednesday 27 March works will continue with one lane open to traffic. The works are scheduled to be completed in mid-April.

Over-width and over-weight loads - no access 24/7
Due to space constraints, the road will be closed 24/7 to all categories of over-dimension (width) loads, and over-weight loads that need to deviate from their lane to cross the bridge, for the duration of the project.

The work is required to strengthen the bridge and includes a significant excavation into the western abutment at the end of the bridge which will remain open until the end of the project.

The position of the excavation in the highway means that only single lane Stop/Go traffic management can be used while this work is underway. Due to space constraints and issues associated with heavy vehicles, the road will be closed 24/7 to over-dimension/weight loads for the duration of the project.

“As only a single lane will be available for the duration of this work, people’s journeys will be affected. However, this work is essential to ensure the ongoing operation of the Victoria Bridge, a vital piece of infrastructure connecting the region. In combination with the Nevis Bluff Rock Bolting project, the Victoria Bridge work could result in up to 20 minute delays.

“We recommend that road users who travel through the Kawarau Gorge build in extra time on their journey,” says Mark Stewart, Maintenance Contract Manager, for the Transport Agency.

The Transport Agency thanks everyone for their patience and for taking care while traveling across the bridge during the works.
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this autumn. Keep up to date with:
• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthisland
• Twitter Otago/Southland: twitter.com/NZTAOS
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

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