Fresh paint for Red Bridge

Expect delays at the Luggate Bridge before Easter. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
Expect delays at the Luggate Bridge before Easter. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
The 96-year-old Luggate Bridge, also known as the Red Bridge, is to be repainted red before Easter, and the work could cause some periodic but short traffic delays most mornings until the job is finished.

The single-lane steel structure is on State Highway 8A over the Clutha River, connecting Luggate and Tarras.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun preparatory work, including installing the scaffold, and expects the work to be finished by Wednesday, March 31.

Some minor decking repairs would also occur.

NZTA Central Otago area manager John Jarvis said road users could expect periodic delays of up to 10 minutes between 7am and 8pm Mondays to Saturdays.

The NZTA apologised for the delays, which were unavoidable because road-user safety was a priority while the work was being done, he said.

"The contractor will be working fairly long hours to get the work done as soon as possible before Easter, not just because of the weather but because of [the] Warbirds [airshow]," he said.