Full access to the Routeburn’s Lake Sylvan Track has finally been restored.
The brand-new 42m Sylvan Bridge, about 11m above the Routeburn River’s median river height, has been constructed about 600m up river from the Sylvan Campsite.
In 2020, the previous bridge located at the campsite was damaged in a significant storm.
It was repaired, but then swept away in another storm in 2023.
Department of Conservation Whakatipu Wai Māori operations manager David Butt said the old bridge site was prone to erosion, "and that was likely to continue".
The bridge’s new location, and its height, "greatly" increased its resilience to erosion and flood events.
"Nature is our biggest asset, and it’s important we do the work to ensure we’re investing our efforts across our network of tracks and bridges in the right places.
Mr Butt said a new section of track, about 1.5km long, had been constructed to connect the bridge to the campsite and other popular walking tracks in the area, such as Lake Sylvan Track, which was a "great option for most visitors".
"It’s an excellent alternative for those who don’t have the time or experience for the three-day Routeburn Track, but still want to experience a connection to nature."
The bridge also provided access for experienced trampers to backcountry huts such as the Beans Burn and Sugarloaf/Rock Burn Track.
Before Covid hit in 2020, the site received from 11,000 to 14,000 walkers per annum.
He said the Lake Sylvan area had always been a popular place for locals, and Doc was grateful for people’s patience as they worked to get the new bridge opened in a "safer, more resilient spot". — Allied Media
