Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is asking drivers to reduce their speed when travelling over the Red Bridge on SH8 near Luggate.

The 107-year-old bridge has recently undergone work to repair a crack in a concrete pier.

The crack was caused by a combination of the age of the bridge and the very high impact loading of the heavy vehicles travelling on it.

“While the repair work has strengthened the damaged area, the rest of the pier on this 100-year-old-plus structure is not reinforced,” NZTA senior network manager Robert Choveaux said.

“So we need all drivers and in particular heavy vehicle drivers to continue to drop their speeds to 30km/h when they use the Red Bridge.

In July the NZTA assured the Wānaka App that the bridge was safe despite it not being designed and constructed for the number of heavy vehicles that use it today.

The transport agency says the bridge will close for two days next week (Monday August 15 and Tuesday August 16) between 9am and 5pm to remove scaffolding following the recent bridge repairs.

On closure days, people wishing to travel on the route will need to take a detour via Hāwea Flat. 

The detour from Wānaka is State Highway 6 towards Lake Hāwea, Camphill Road to Hāwea Flat and Kane Road towards Tarras.

The detour route is unsuitable for 50Max vehicles which can travel via Capell Avenue, Domain Road and Cemetery Road, and HPM vehicles will need to travel outside the closure times.

“We thank all road users, residents and freight operators for their patience and understanding,” Robert said.

“Options to control bridge speed with traffic lights are being looked into, similar to the system used on the Beaumont Bridge.”

Arrangements have been made to accommodate school buses and emergency vehicles during the planned closure.

PHOTO: Supplied