Replacement of failing bridge urged

The Waitaki District Council may decide to replace the wooden Slaughter Yard Rd bridge at Enfield...
The Waitaki District Council may decide to replace the wooden Slaughter Yard Rd bridge at Enfield. Photo by David Bruce.

An Enfield bridge ''bordering on becoming unsafe'' may win a reprieve from the Waitaki District Council.

The Slaughter Yard Rd wooden bridge was identified in a 2008 report as being in poor condition.

Closing it within six months was recommended.

The bridge has remained open, but is now judged as becoming unsafe, at the end of its useful economic and structural life.

It has 3-tonne and 10kmh limits, but about 20% of vehicles exceed these.

However, its replacement was initially not regarded as a high priority because it was on a minor road with alternative detours available.

That changed in the Easter and Anzac Day floods this year when traffic increased significantly, indicating the need was greater than first envisioned.

At a meeting last month, the local community was asked about the importance of the bridge and what other options could replace it.

Retaining the bridge was the preferred option.

Today, the council's assets committee will consider a recommendation from roading manager Michael Voss that replacement be considered as part of the council's three-year bridge replacement programme, providing a New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy is available.

If no subsidy was available, other options would be considered.

Replacing the bridge was estimated to cost $322,000 for a new timber and steel structure, with about $186,000 possibly funded by the agency.

Turning the bridge into a cycle-walkway would cost about $50,000, a wash-over pad about $280,000, while demolishing it and having a turnaround would cost about $60,000.

The condition of the bridge meant that retaining it would require substantial expenditure, Mr Voss said.

Add a Comment