Hardies Bridge work to cause long delays

There will be delays on a section of State Highway 12 later this month due to maintenance work at Hardies Bridge between Ruawai and Paparoa.

Last re-sealed a decade ago, work to completely re-seal the one-lane bridge will start on Sunday, October 14 at 8 am, and will take ten days to complete. Fine weather will be needed to complete the re-sealing on time. 

Some minor maintenance work will also be completed at the eastern end of the bridge. 

“We will do everything we can to minimise disruption for drivers, but during some phases of work they could face delays of at least 30 minutes because of the time needed to move workers and equipment off the bridge,” says the NZTA’s acting State Highways manager for Auckland and Northland, Steve Mutton. 

Electronic roadside signs will be used to inform drivers of the work so that they can choose alternative routes when they plan their journeys. Due to the isolated location of the bridge, Mr Mutton says there are no local detour routes available to divert SH12 traffic. 

“There has been regular maintenance of the bridge surface since 2002, but the time has now come to re-lay the entire surface to provide smooth driving conditions.” 

A 30kph speed restriction will be in place at the bridge.

“If drivers are going to use the bridge we ask them to observe the speed limit for the safety of themselves and their passengers, and for the safety of the people working on the bridge,” Mr Mutton says.  

A further round of maintenance work is planned at Hardies Bridge during the summer to improve the approach at the east end of the bridge.