A temporary bailey bridge at 145 Māniatoto Rd over the Taieri River has opened this week, reopening a route that has been closed since the start of last year.

Approval was given at Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) July 6 meeting for a temporary replacement bridge, on the condition that the adjoining landowner pay half the cost of the hire of the bailey bridge for a three-year period. 

The original single-lane four-span bridge was closed after a significant flood event in January 2021, which added a journey length of 16 kilometres.

In a statement CODC said the bailey bridge will be in place until a permanent structure can be considered as part of the 2024 long-term plan.

The southern approach on and off the bridge is not suitable for all large towing vehicles and the speed across the bridge will be restricted to 10kmph.



The bridge, which opened again in October 2022, hasn’t been able to be used since January 2021.

A CODC spokesperson thanked Waka Kotahi, Downer and Fulton Hogan for their work getting a much anticipated lifeline back in place, and thanked the local community for their patience.

Travel is also not straightforward for those travelling on SH8 near Roxburgh in the coming weeks: There is a culvert replacement happening and a detour will be in place for November 6-14.