After two months of strengthening work and lengthy detours for motorists, the Clydevale bridge has reopened.
Work to strengthen the bridge to class 1 standard, restoring it to full heavy vehicle capacity, began mid-July and was expected to finish at the end of September.
The bridge reopened last night.
Clutha district assets manager Jules Witt said the council was ''pretty happy'' with the upgrade, which was completed slightly ahead of schedule and came in under its $418,052 budget at $395,000.
The main strengthening work involved adding bolts to improve the connection between the concrete bridge deck and the steel beams.
Although the strengthening brings the bridge capacity to class 1 heavy vehicle loading, weight restrictions will remain over the next month while council staff ensure it meets requirements.
The New Zealand Transport Agency last year approved its 69% share of funding for the strengthening project, estimated to cost $974,000.
The unused funding from the bridge deck and beam upgrade will be carried over to the 2013-14 year and allocated towards the pile repairs contract, which will be put out for tender over the next few weeks.
The Clydevale bridge spans the Clutha River about 22km northwest of Balclutha. It is a key transport route, as some oversized loads cannot be taken over the Balclutha bridge.
The Tuapeka Mouth ferry, about 10km upstream from the Clydevale bridge, has returned to its normal crossing hours of 8am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm daily, its operation depending on river flows.
