A historic railway footbridge restoration project in Ashburton is on track and set to reopen in October.

The 25-metre central iron truss has been removed, and a team from Grant Hood Contracting has been busy sandblasting the steelwork and repainting it.

Council infrastructure group manager Neil McCann said the old paint was lead-based so sandblasting had to be contained.

“If you’ve been wondering what the big white tents are on site, that’s where the sandblasting has taken place,” he said.

“The old paint was removed by a high-pressure sandblaster, which created clouds of dust that needed to be contained. We’ve been able to have a good look at the metal underneath to check for corrosion.”

Work is progressing on three fronts: The main truss, the Ashburton Domain approach and piers, and the East St approach and piers.

The truss has been sandblasted and repairs made to corroded areas; and it has been primed and painted.

The domain approach and piers have also been sandblasted, and areas identified for repair.

The East St approach has been dismantled, ready for sandblasting.

McCann said truss work had been the trickiest, requiring custom pieces to replace damaged areas.

“It is essential that the repairs match, so they don’t stick out as different from the original historic structure.

“Overall, there have been no big surprises and a lot of the major structural components of the footbridge are still in reasonable condition.”

The footbridge was built in 1917 and crosses the main rail trunk line at Wills St, from the Woolworths corner to the Ashburton Domain. 

It is well-used by pedestrians and cyclists as a mid-point crossing between Havelock St and Walnut Ave.

It is a listed historic item by Heritage New Zealand and council also records it as a heritage item in the District Plan.