Decision to fix bridge

The Roxburgh bridge. PHOTO: LYNDA VAN KEMPEN
The Roxburgh bridge. PHOTO: LYNDA VAN KEMPEN
Repairs for an earthquake-prone Roxburgh bridge will go ahead despite uncertainty over funding.

The Central Otago District Council agreed yesterday the bridge needed repairing, but how the $250,000 cost would be covered is yet to be decided.

The council's roading budget was $198,000, meaning more than $50,000 would need to be raised before repairs could take place.

The bridge, built in 1974, spans the Clutha River and provides access to the Teviot Valley.

A report in January showed the bridge's eastern abutment had moved as much as 110mm, causing damage to the bolts holding it down.

The bridge would be at high risk of collapsing in a moderate or severe earthquake and further heavy vehicle traffic could cause irreparable damage, council's infrastructure services manager Jon Kingsford said.

The bridge was essential for Teviot Valley residents, he said.

The exact cost of repairs was now being assessed with $250,000 as a rough estimate.

Deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie said a decision on sourcing funding could not be made until a more detailed financial report was provided.

''I need to know whose throat I need to cut so this can go through.''

One option proposed was to take money from the road metalling budget, meaning low priority roads in St. Bathans would miss out on being regravelled.

This was far from an ideal solution, Mr Kingsford said.

The council will ask New Zealand Transport if money can be used from future years' budgets to make up the difference.

Two speed humps were installed and a 20kmh speed limit imposed in January.

The humps and speed limit would be removed if repairs went ahead.

About 100 vehicles crossed the bridge every day, Mr Kingsford said.

The only alternative was crossing the Roxburgh Dam, which would add 657,000km of total travel annually.

The repairs would likely happen after the busy fruit season early next year, but it was not known how long they would take.

The council also agreed to buy a small piece of private land for $1000 which was needed to rock anchor the eastern abutment as part of the project.

by Jono Edwards 

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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