Replacement Pyramid Bridge not due until 2020

Pyramid Bridge, halfway between Waikaia and Waikaka, was washed away in February last year and has still not been replaced.

Riverdale residents could wait more than two years before a replacement Pyramid Bridge is installed.

The wooden bridge, which had spanned the Mataura River for 88 years, collapsed during a flood last February.

Gore District Council Transport Manager Peter Standring confirmed the new 4.5m-wide single-lane structure would be situated "in almost the same place'' as the former bridge.

He said tenders for construction would be called early next month, but construction was not expected to be completed until 2020.

"We anticipate awarding the contract by May, subject to council approval. The new bridge will take approximately 18 months to build.''

Mr Standring attributed the delay between the collapse and the tender announcement to the "long process we have to work through''.
This included a public consultation via the council's 10-year plan, a detailed business case and a funding application to the NZ Transport Agency.

Council infrastructure general manager Ramesh Sharma said only a "few'' residents had complained about the bridge's closure.

He also said they understood the timing associated with construction.

Mr Sharma declined to comment on estimated costs of the project until the tender process ends, but confirmed about 74%, would be funded by the NZTA.

The remaining cost would be equally shared by the Gore and Southland District councils.

"This was a major achievement for the district.''

- By Luisa Girao