New bridge postings

Southland District Council has announced its bridge postings for 2011-12.

Sixty nine bridges in the Southland District have been identified as needing postings in order to assist with the safety of road users. Sixteen of the bridges have a greater than 50% weight restriction on them. The total number of bridges includes 11 more than last year, group manager service and assets Erik Barnes said.

The reasons for the increased restrictions include changes in the NZTA methodology for assessing bridge capacities and the deterioration that has occurred to the structures since the previous detailed engineering inspection three years ago. The intensification of heavy traffic within the rural roading network has also been a contributing factor, Mr Barnes said.

The postings limits are determined after a detailed engineering survey of the bridge and reflect wear and tear on the bridge structure and effects of dynamic loadings from vehicles. They are set to avoid further damage to the structures and to reduce the risk of collapse of the bridges, thereby providing greater safety for the road user.

For these reasons it is essential for all road users that the postings are complied with.

"This updated information from the engineering survey is assisting Council in the prioritising of its programming of bridge upgrades and replacements which is underway now. However, as Southland has one of the largest networks of bridges in the country, this process is unlikely to change the numbers overnight," he said.