The Waitaki District Council is urging locals not to take "souvenirs" from the old Kakanui Bridge as deconstruction work begins.
The site will be fenced off and contain "significant hazards" while contractor Specialised Services Group (SSG) removes the bridge to make way for a new boat ramp, downstream of the new $10.6 million Kākaunui Bridge.
In a release, the WDC said "while council and SSG recognise local attachment to the bridge, please do not enter the site and attempt to remove souvenirs".
The deconstruction contract was awarded to SSG, which was the lowest bid of around $256,765 (excluding GST).
SSG’s proposal offered the "best value" to the ratepayer, the council said, as it included the removal of the bridge and the recovery and resale of the main timber components.