Lake Monowai Rd suspension bridge over Waiau River. Photo: Southland District Council

A $6 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will enable a historic Southland bridge to be replaced.

Kānoa, the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s regional economic development and investment unit, yesterday announced the grant towards full replacement of the 105-year-old Monowai suspension bridge over the Waiau River.

Southland District Mayor Rob Scott was delighted to receive confirmation of the funding, which was the result of a council application.

“The Monowai suspension bridge is a vital link for the Monowai Valley’s communities and businesses, and the historic Monowai hydro station,” he said in a statement.

“Full replacement will provide numerous lasting benefits for residents, landowners, businesses, tourism operators and visitors to this unique part of New Zealand.”

The bridge, on Lake Monowai Rd, is the only practical route to the Monowai hydro station, and the sole point of road access for a number of large commercial forestry operations, local farmers and tourism and recreation activities, including Borland Lodge.

It also provides an alternative route into Fiordland National Park.

Construction of the new bridge is expected to be completed by December 2027. Temporary access arrangements will be investigated and widely publicised before work begins.

A 1923 photograph of the Southland Electric Power Board's suspension bridge over the Waiau River, built to provide access to the Monowai hydro-electric works. The bridge will be replaced next year. Photo: Otago Witness collection, Allied Media

The bridge’s weight limit of 28.5 tonnes restricts the movement of equipment needed for operations, maintenance and emergency response.

Heavy transport operators are forced to split loads, stockpile forestry products, or find costly alternatives for moving heavy equipment.

With funding secured, council’s intention is to rebuild the bridge to “HN-HO-72” design standard, which will enable access to full class 1  heavy vehicles of up to 50 tonnes.

Council had initially received funding from the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to replace the deck on the bridge, which is in otherwise sufficiently good condition to not meet the agency’s funding criteria for full replacement.

Re-decking would have extended the life of the existing structure but would not have addressed the bridge’s fundamental limitations, a spokesperson said.

Meetings held with the local community and business interests identified a strong preference for full replacement. — Allied Media