The Clutha District Council told residents at the weekend it would close the Hinahina Bridge linking Owaka and popular tourist destination Jacks Bay from September 1, to allow a $3.4 million replacement to be built.
The expected 10-month closure will require those visiting Jacks Bay - a peninsula formed by the Catlins Lake, which the bridge crosses to reach - to take an 8km detour along the lake’s southern side when travelling from Owaka.
Although residents told the Otago Daily Times they welcomed the bridge replacement, several expressed concern about the condition of the unsealed Lakeside Rd section of the detour.
"It’s the main route to Owaka for us, but we’d be more concerned about the state of the detour, which needs maintenance even now."
A Hinahina Rd farmer, who did not wish to be named, agreed, describing Lakeside Rd as "diabolical and dangerous".
He said farm and other heavy vehicles had been forced to use the detour for the past two years, since the council placed a five-tonne weight safety limit on the bridge.
The 110m bridge was brought to the council's attention during long-term planning in 2015, after its dilapidated state began to concern users.
After extended investigations, the council proposed in 2018 to replace rather than repair the bridge, to reduce overall long-term costs given maintenance expectations.
The NZ Transport Agency will pay $2 million (59%) and Clutha District Council the remaining $1.4 million towards the project.
Council service delivery group manager Jules Witt said the new bridge would be single-lane, include a cycle and pedestrian lane, and be weight-rated for fully laden logging trucks.
He said the detour would be monitored, and "maintained to our usual standards for unsealed roads".
