Any significant upgrade to the State Highway 1, Rakaia bridge may be years away.
They’re in a 30-year plan – possibly.
Peter Brown, Waka Kotahi NZTA regional manager for maintenance and operations in the central and lower South Island, said the needs of the highway network between Timaru and Lyttelton ports was all about prioritisation — and funding.
‘‘Subject to prioritisation and funding, NZTA will be developing a Strategic Network Plan that considers the future needs (30 years) of the state highway network between Timaru and Lyttelton ports, including the roads, bridges and the role of rail.”
He said serious accidents such as the fatal accident near the bridge on May 15 were disrupting for road users.
‘‘Unfortunately, crashes of this magnitude and on busy routes like this inevitably mean delays and detours while emergency services and NZTA’s contractors deal with them.”
‘‘Incidents like the recent fatal crash are always tragic for all involved. We want everyone to make it home safely to their families after travelling on the state highway network,” he said.
Jim Crouchley, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand’s Membership Manager for Lower South Island, said transport delays had flow-on effects for drivers and livestock.
Crouchley said a driver has 13 hours, excluding breaks, to complete their day and keep the their log book correct.
‘‘A delay such as that one creates an issue that can see a transport operator and their drivers in a difficult position.”
He said South Island drivers often swapped trucks mid way which can cause a major disruption to a schedule.
‘‘Equally with livestock on board, the ability to unload where there are sufficient facilities such as water for the stock is particularly challenging.”
‘‘Animal welfare with stationary livestock trucks, particularly on a hot day, is also an issue.”
Both Brown and Crouchley spoke about vehicles having to detour through the Rakaia Gorge.
Brown said when the Rakaia Gorge Bridge project began in 2018, timber was replaced and original features were strengthened, but that was were it stopped.
‘‘Neither an increase to two lanes nor traffic signal installation were prioritised for funding in the National Land Transport Programme at that time.”
“Ongoing maintenance will be undertaken on the bridge as is necessary.”
Crouchley said that the Rakaia Gorge detour was not an option as the bridges become congested, feasibility of using them is outweighed by the delays of the single lane.
‘‘Traffic management to control the traffic flow each way is also a real challenge.”
