17-10-2023 03:05pm

In January 2023 we were made aware of damage to the Otara Bridge, located approximately 3km north of Ohingaiti to the east of State Highway 1.

Manawatū District Council and Rangitikei District Council are jointly undertaking a project to strengthen the Otara Bridge to restore it to its previous weight limit of 46 tonnes at 30 kph. This strengthening will be achieved by reinforcing the trusses at both upstream and downstream sides of the bridge. The existing top chord will be strengthened by welding plates on the top and bottom flanges over the 104m span.

By way of update, an open invitation for tenders was put on GETS on 2 October 2023.

Tenders close at Manawatū District Council electronically via GETS on 19 October at 4:00pm.

Once the contract is awarded the contractor will provide a programme which can then be communicated to the community.

While the strengthening work is being undertaken there will be an opportunity to do further in-situ testing of the hangars to determine a replacement programme for the 2024-27 financial years.