The daytime closure of the Luggate Red Bridge will be extended by one week, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says.

Work on the bridge, which includes maintenance and traffic signals, began in June and it was expected to include two weeks of daytime closures (9am-5pm) on weekdays during the school holidays.

With more timber running boards on the bridge deck of the 100-year-old bridge needing to be replaced than originally estimated, the closures will now extend an additional week to July 26, NZTA Lower South Island system manager Robert Choveaux said.

School buses and emergency vehicles will still be accommodated at short notice, NZTA said.

The detour route for light vehicles.

Road users who usually cross the bridge weekday daytime hours will need to continue to either take the detour routes listed below or travel outside of the closure times until after July 26.

Light vehicles (cars and vans) can travel via Kane and Camphill Roads through Hāwea Flat. It will add 25-30 minutes to the journey. (Camphill Road Bridge on the detour route isn’t approved for HPMV or 50Max.) 

HPMV, 50MAX vehicles and HPMV Higher Mass permit holders can travel via Kane, Cemetery, Domain Roads and Capell Ave - SH6 via Albert Town to SH84. Overweight permit holders need to refer to their permit and confirm an alternate route according to their permit type or travel outside of the closure times.

Aspiring Highways maintenance team maintains the state highways in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes District for NZTA. 

“We thank the travelling public and freight operators for their patience and understanding,” Robert said.

The Luggate Red Bridge is a key link between Tarras, Cromwell, and Wānaka.

PHOTO: Supplied