Site investigations will be carried out until later this year, including drilling of the river bed to take soil samples and locating existing utilities. "Commencement of these site investigations is a significant step forward,” said director of Infrastructure Services Jeffery Sharp. “Opus International have a demonstrated capacity and considerable experience to deliver the detailed designs as required by the development consent that was issued for the bridge replacement in June 2010.”
The designs are expected to be completed by the end of this year which will enable council to be ready for construction early 2012, subject to raising the funds required.
The council is investigating options to fund the bridge replacement which at this stage is estimated in the range of US$12.6 to US$14.7 million.
The deteriorating condition of the bridge, which links North Haven and Laurieton, was first identified in 1999. The proposal to replace the existing bridge was endorsed by Council following a route options selection process in 2007, which included technical investigations, community consultation and a value management study. In 2008 Aecom carried out environmental studies and community consultation for the environmental impact statement for the replacement of the bridge.
