Albert Town Bridge wastewater upgrade underway

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is advising residents of works on Albert Town Bridge as part of major upgrades to the Upper Clutha wastewater network. These upgrades will increase the capacity and resilience of wastewater systems in Hāwea, Albert Town, and Wānaka. The next stage of work involves installing a new wastewater pipe beneath the bridge, one of the most technically challenging components of the project to date.

Work will run for approximately three months, from June to the end of August, and will require two daytime bridge closures:

• 23–25 June, 9.00am–5.30pm

• 3–14 August (weekdays only), 9.00am–5.30pm

QLDC Property and Infrastructure General Manager Tony Avery said QLDC recognises the impact these closures will have on the community. “The project team has worked hard to reduce the closure period. The original design was for a three‑week, 24/7 closure, but this has been reduced to two shorter daytime periods,” he said. “We know any closure is disruptive, so we encourage residents and businesses to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.”

During closures, vehicles will be detoured via State Highways 6 and 8A, Luggate Red Bridge, Kane Road, Gladstone Road, and Camphill Road. Oversized or freight loads will need to travel via Deadman’s Point Bridge in Cromwell, State Highway 8A near Tarras, and Kane Road.

QLDC and contractor Fulton Hogan are engaging directly with emergency services, schools, bus operators, businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders. A wider public information campaign is underway and will include signage, advertising, social media, radio ads, VMS boards, and more.

Mt Avery said crews are preparing carefully for the complex installation of the pipe. “Working underneath a live bridge over the river is challenging, and safety is our top priority,” he said.

Crews will install a Kurimoto Seismic Resilient Ductile Iron Pipe, designed to withstand movement during earthquakes. This pipe uses a specialised jointing system that requires highly skilled installers.

Mr Avery said it was not possible to work at night. “Crews are working in a highly constrained area with scaffolding over the river, and the materials required for this construction work do not cure properly at very low temperatures,” he said.

The first stage of the work involves installing scaffolding beneath the bridge. This is then followed by the placement of a steel sleeve at the abutment during the three-day June closure. From there, crews will then spend July installing brackets and pipe sections under the bridge. In August, the pipe will be connected into trenches at each end of the bridge, requiring the second daytime closure period. Scaffolding will be removed later in August.

Throughout the works, the speed limit across the bridge will be reduced to 30km/h when it is open, with bollards and speedbumps in place. Pedestrian access will remain available, although the footpath will be narrower and cyclists will need to dismount. Trail users will not be able to pass under the bridge but can cross at road level instead.

There will also be reduced clearance under the bridge due to scaffolding, so river users and boaties will need to take extra care. Signage will be in place near the river and along the trail to guide people safely through the area.

Bridge closure dates have been carefully scheduled, however, dates may be subject to change due to weather and other factors. Residents are encouraged to sign up for free e-text alerts for direct updates.

Additional upgrades to the Upper Clutha network include a new wastewater pump station at Domain Road in Hāwea, a pipeline from Domain Road to existing infrastructure at the Albert Town Wastewater Pump Station, upgrades to the Riverbank Road Wastewater Pump Station, and upgrades to Project Pure Wastewater Treatment Plant inlet.

Construction of the pipelines and pump stations is expected to finish in early 2027.

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

Media contact: 03 441 1802 

communications@qldc.govt.nz

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri:

• Albert Town Bridge Closure Detour (PDF, 1.94MB)