Project Management Unit Manager Christian Anderson says this is a great milestone for the project.
“The bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure for Christchurch, carrying approximately 30,000 vehicles per day, as well as taking water, waste and phone lines to the eastern suburbs.”
The construction will take just over two years to complete. The first 17 months of work will include building an entirely new substructure below the bridge surface, with the existing traffic layout and capacity to be retained throughout this phase.
Nine months of work above the bridge will follow this from December 2011 to August 2012. This work involves constructing the bridge approaches, services, adjacent road works and traffic signals.
Bernard Kopke, HEB Structures South Island Area Manager, says measures will be taken to ensure the existing number of lanes is maintained throughout construction.
“Pedestrians, cyclist and motorists will experience minimum disturbance – and we hope they’ll be able to continue with the flow and direction they’re used to throughout the entire construction project.”
Further details of the construction methodology will be released prior to works starting.
The contract has been awarded for $9.8 million, with $366,000 for water main and sewer replacement.
The bridge is being strengthened to bring it in line with current earthquake resistance standards and will be widened to accommodate an increase in users.
The Main Road three laning project will be completed in conjunction with the construction work above the bridge, and will run from December 2011 to August 2012.
