The existing Bailey bridge was washed away when torrential rain battered the West Coast on March 26, cutting off access between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef.
The loss turned a 25-minute drive from Fox Glacier to Franz Josef into a detour which added hundreds of extra kilometres to the trip, or forced people to use helicopter taxis, prompting fears some businesses could go bust.
Yesterday, NZTA system manager Pete Connors said army engineers and Downer staff had made ``good progress'' dismantling the remains of the old bridge, while Fulton Hogan staff had driven piles and completed other key work on the north side of the river.
The new bridge structure was expected to be positioned tomorrow, but not open to traffic for at least a couple of days, he said.
The bridge would need to be readied for use once in position, including ensuring the structure was safely fastened, and approaches were completed.
Even after opening, there would be continuing delays - involving closures of up to an hour - while other work was completed, including sealing approaches and reinstating a guardrail.
