Friday 26 February 2010

Replacement for Tawanui Bridge

Clutha District Council has approved a complete replacement for the Tawanui Bridge.

The bridge spans the Catlins River about 12km west of Owaka, and links Puketiro with the Owaka Valley. It has been closed since November last year, after inspections revealed significant damage which may have initially been caused by an overloaded vehicle.

Manager District Assets Jules Witt said Council yesterday approved the replacement of the existing timber bridge with a single lane concrete structure.

“Economically, this is the best long-term option, as well as providing a more suitable operational structure for the surrounding farming community.”

However, Mr Witt stressed that there was still a process to go through to secure funding, and for the construction of the new bridge.

Council now has to apply to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a 70% construction subsidy. If NZTA funding is approved, a timeline for construction will then depend on whether resource consent conditions allow work in the riverbed during winter, and on river levels during construction.

At this stage, the earliest anticipated completion date is November 2010.

“We realise this timeframe will continue to inconvenience motorists who regularly travel this route. However, securing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of public money, and then construction of a new bridge takes time,” Mr Witt said.

In the meantime, Council will erect signage at the beginning of all four main entry roads leading to the bridge. Anyone wanting to access the Catlins River Walk or Department of Conservation Tawanui Camping Ground needs to travel via Owaka Valley then Morris Saddle roads, while anyone wishing to access accommodation on Catlins Valley Road needs to travel via the Papatowai Highway.

Maps detailing these routes have been placed on the Council website, available by clicking here, the district’s tourism website (www.cluthacountry.co.nz), and are available from the Catlins Information Centre and Clutha i-SITE in Balclutha.

ENDS