Taramakau bridge speed restrictions

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The New Zealand Transport Agency has advised a 20km/h heavy vehicle speed limit has been established on the Taramakau road-rail Bridge on SH6 south of Greymouth.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has advised a 20km/h heavy vehicle speed limit has been established on the Taramakau road-rail Bridge on SH6 south of Greymouth.

NZTA Canterbury-West Coast Regional Director Mark Yaxley says the 20km/h speed limit for heavy motor vehicles (those over 4500kg), is necessary to help prolong the life of the bridge decking.  The restrictions should not cause major disruptions, as most heavy motor vehicle using this narrow one-lane structure would struggle to travel much above 20km/h.

Mr Yaxley says the NZTA and ONTRACK (the bridge owner) are currently reviewing future maintenance needs. This includes the eventual replacement of the existing road deck system. This work needs to be carried out concurrently with ONTRACK’s work.

NZTA and ONTRACK are working closely to determine the timeframe for the maintenance and how to keep disruption to road and rail users to a minimum while this takes place.

The Taramakau Bridge will be the only remaining road-rail bridge on the West Coast, once construction of the Arahura road rail Bridge on SH 6 near Hokitika  is completed later this year.

Eds note: ONTRACK is the network infrastructure arm of KiwiRail
 
Mark Yaxley
Regional Director Canterbury & West Coast

For more information please contact:

Bob Nettleton
Regional Communications Advisor
  DDI 03 951 3005   
M  021 954 928   
F   03 951 3013
E-mail  bob.nettleton@nzta.govt.nz

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