Staff Reporter
03 November 2024, 5:52 PM
Coasties and river users near the Wēiti River should prepare for a short closure of the river channel from 2 to 8 December as work progresses on the new Wēiti River Bridge, part of the Penlink project linking the Hibiscus Coast and Stillwater.
The one-week closure will allow the safe transfer of large equipment, including a drilling rig, to the eastern working platform, supporting the start of construction on Pier 4.
The Penlink Alliance team noted that vessels can still navigate downstream of the worksite during this time.
Once work is complete, the current setup will be restored, allowing an 18-metre-wide navigable gap for vessels to pass through.
However, brief periods of limited passage may occur during working hours, Monday to Friday from 7 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm, as loads are occasionally lifted over the channel gap.
Looking ahead, another temporary closure is scheduled for January 2025 to further advance bridge construction.
The Penlink team has expressed gratitude to local residents and river users for their patience and support throughout this extensive project.
For those interested in shaping the Penlink Alliance’s communication efforts, a stakeholder survey is currently open until 1 November.
This survey provides an opportunity to share feedback on the team’s engagement approach.