Work begins on replacement Oamaru Creek bridge

Work has started on a new Oamaru Creek pedestrian bridge. PHOTO: DANIEL BIRCHFIELD
Work has started on a new Oamaru Creek pedestrian bridge. PHOTO: DANIEL BIRCHFIELD

Work to construct a pedestrian bridge that will eventually span Oamaru Creek at its mouth is under way.

A timber suspension bridge is to replace the former concrete pedestrian bridge over the creek north of Friendly Bay, which was condemned in 2014 and demolished in 2016.

The bridge will provide an important link between two council-owned pieces of property - on the south side, the well-used green space behind the Oamaru Creek penguin reserve will be connected to the historic place category 2 former Oamaru Freezing Works across the creek.

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said the council went ahead with the proposed design it released publicly in late 2017, as it was practical and aesthetically pleasing.

``It's been bandied about in different forms, really since the concrete bridge that was there was declared to be unsafe and was blocked off from public access then ultimately removed. This is putting some access back.''

The bridge will form part of a cycle trail from the harbour area that will connect with another that extends to Waitaki Boys' High School.

As a result the council was eligible for NZ Transport Agency funding that totalled 56% of the total cost of $112,000. The council was contributing about $50,000.

Mr Kircher said there had also been discussions about the bridge potentially being ``turned into an attraction in its own right'', in the form of an artwork of sorts.

``It's actually quite a good-looking bridge as it is, but it's made out of timber and I see the possibility that once it's built getting some of those bits of timber carved, for example.''

Lighting was also being discussed.

Construction of the bridge was expected to take several months.

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