(PR.co.nz) The Christchurch City Council has announced the Ferrymead Bridge widening and strengthening project will go out for tender shortly to three major national construction companies.
Project Management Unit Manager Christian Anderson says the project design is now complete.
“This was a particularly difficult design, especially the strengthening work underneath the bridge and the connection of the new structure to the existing bridge.
“The bridge needs to be strengthened to the current earthquake resistance standards and widened to accommodate an increase in users. We hope to announce the successful contractor by the end of June,” he says.
It is anticipated that the first 18 months of construction will be below the bridge surface, which means vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians using the bridge are unlikely to be affected.
Bridge approaches, adjacent road works and traffic signals will take up to an additional 10 months to complete, with the intention for traffic to be unrestricted across the bridge throughout these works.
The Council considered every solution to prevent traffic delays, road blockages and difficulty for commuters, with the key consideration to keep a minimum of three lanes in operation throughout construction.
Mayor Bob Parker is pleased with the progress being made on what is currently one of the Council’s most important transport projects.
“The bridge carries approximately 30,000 vehicles per day, as well as taking water, waste and phone lines to the eastern suburbs – making it a vital piece of infrastructure to the city.
“This project has been a key priority for the Council over the last few years and it’s great to see it’s nearly ready to get underway,” he says.
Further information around the new road layout will be provided to the public once plans are completed and the work has been awarded.
Media Release 29 March 2010 from Christchurch City Council.
Contact Information Sarah Jesson, Telephone (03) 941 8881
Email Sarah.Jesson@ccc.govt.nz