Work will start in October on the ageing Little Valley Bridge over the Manuherikia River, connecting Alexandra township with Tucker Hill.

Central Otago District Council said work will start on the installation of a Bailey bridge to provide a temporary crossing before the timber deck and beams are upgraded.

The temporary Bailey bridge will be built between Graveyard Gully Road and Rivers Street Park, also known as Linger and Die Park, in Alexandra. 

This will provide a detour route to ensure continued access for residents, rural users, and to critical infrastructure.

The project has been timed to avoid clashes with key community events such as the Alexandra Blossom Festival and the annual Great Duck Race early October.

Originally scheduled for completion by June 2025, the bridge project timeline had been adjusted due to complexities around design, material sourcing, and to determine the alternative route.

The Bailey bridge will take two months to build, and once work starts on the Little Valley Road bridge, it will be closed to regular traffic from January until the refurbishment is completed in June 2026.

The Bailey bridge will then removed and the site reinstated. 

All light vehicles, and heavy vehicles including truck and trailer units up to Class 1 weight restriction, along with cyclists, will be able to use the single lane Bailey bridge.

The bridge will also accommodate larger non-heavy vehicles such as campervans, motorhomes, and large vans - an improvement on the current bridge’s load limits.

Pedestrians will still be able to use the nearby historic Shaky Bridge footbridge in between the other two. Cyclists may use the Bailey bridge, but no pedestrian access was permitted.

Council said the Little Valley Road bridge upgrade was currently out for public tender and the contract would be awarded in October.

Renewal of the district’s ageing bridge infrastructure has been a hot topic in Central Otago with the Little Valley Road bridge project kicking off a schedule of work over the next few years.

Council roading manager Paul Fleet said, like many structures throughout the district, the bridge has been experiencing age-related deterioration and needed intervention to ensure continued service and safety.

"This is an important project to strengthen and extend the life of the bridge, ensuring safe and reliable access for residents, farmers, businesses, emergency services, and visitors, including Otago Central Rail Trail users."

Council will be running drop-in sessions for affected residents, landowners and the public during September. These will be advertised on social media.

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