Temporary bridge to open before Christmas

The Bailey bridge that will provide a temporary crossing between Rivers Street and Graveyard Gully Road over the Manuherekia River in Alexandra is nearing completion and will open before the Christmas break.

This will allow trucks to cross that cannot currently utilise the Little Valley Road bridge due to current weight restrictions.

Further upstream, the Little Valley Road bridge will close from late January to mid-2026 to allow the replacement of the timber deck and beams. The Bailey bridge will remain in place for the duration of the project allowing vehicle access until this work is complete.

Breen Construction, who are undertaking the refurbishment work to extend the life of the bridge, will be installing a temporary cycling/pedestrian access way on the Little Valley bridge providing full access for users.

"This engineer-certified scaffold system will be monitored and maintained over the duration of the project," Central Otago District Council Roading Manager Paul Fleet, said.

The temporary cycling/pedestrian access way will be similar to the dimensions of the existing walkway. The existing cycling/pedestrian access be closed while the refurbishment is carried out.

“We are really pleased for the community and visitors that pedestrian and cycle access can continue across the road bridge, so the Otago Central Rail Trail is not affected."

The temporary cycling/pedestrian access way and the Shaky Bridge footbridge downstream offer safe ways for people to get across the Manuherekia River, while the Bailey bridge is suitable for vehicles, including heavy vehicles.

People are reminded that parking will be limited on Walton, Rivers and Thompson streets adjacent to the Linger and Die Reserve for the duration of the project for safety reasons. Parking will be reinstated once the project has finished.