The start of the new school term and the introduction of limited opening times for Clydevale bridge resulted in dozens of vehicles queuing up to cross the Clutha River yesterday morning.
The Clydevale bridge is being strengthened to bring it up to class 1, restoring it to full heavy vehicle capacity.
Clutha District Council district assets manager Jules Witt said contractor Fulton Hogan started the site work on July 15.
The $418,052 maintenance work is to repair sections of the bridge deck where the concrete has flaked off - known as ''spalling''.
The bridge is closed from 7am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays, and from 7am to 5pm on Saturdays until September 30. Crossing is permitted from noon to 12.30pm every day, and from 8.45am to 9.15am, and from 2.45pm to 3.30pm, during school terms.
Mr Witt said the main strengthening work involved adding bolts to improve the connection between the concrete bridge deck and the steel beams.
The work was ''progressing well'' and was on schedule for a late September finish, weather permitting.
To help minimise disruptions, the council has extended the Tuapeka Mouth ferry's operating hours.
About 10km upstream from the Clydevale bridge, the free ferry is the closest alternative route across the Clutha River. It is operating extended hours from 8am to noon, and 12.30pm to dusk, Mondays to Saturdays, for suitable vehicles.
