Electronic safety warning lights have been installed on either side of Skew Bridge, on Skewbridge Road, near Silverstream.
The signs were installed last month by the Waimakariri District Council to help make the approach to the narrow bridge safer for road users.
‘‘Skew Bridge is narrow with challenging approach geometry, and has a history of crashes at this location,’’ says the council’s roading and transport manager, Joanne McBride.
‘‘The active warning signs are in place to warn drivers to slow down in this location, and triggers if they are approaching at above the advisory speed.
‘‘These types of active devices are proven to bring driver attention to areas that require special attention.’’
The finished project will cost $139,000, including $51,000 for the electronic signs and all associated hardware, $50,000 for the pavement and kerbing works and $38,000 for road marking and static signage which is not yet finished.
‘‘The road›marking work is more temperature sensitive work and as such will be carried out over the next 6 to 8 weeks,’’ Ms McBride says.
The council has been advocating to Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) to replace Skew Bridge for years, and has committed to funding the council share of the project within its Long Term Plan. To date there has been no funding commitment from Waka Kotahi. ‘‘The Skew Bridge project is required to go through a business case process to secure co›funding from Waka Kotahi before it can proceed, Ms McBride says.
‘‘To date the work carried out has indicated the bridge does not meet Waka Kotahi criteria for funding. However, further work to build a case for replacing the bridge is continuing.’’
By Shelley Topp
