The design and supervision contract, worth about US$1 million, has been awarded to WSP Opus.

The new two-lane bridge will cross the Ahaura River on State Highway 7 (SH7) between Greymouth and Springs Junction. It will be built downstream of the existing structure, which is one of the last single lane bridges on SH7 in Grey District.

Work can now start on developing the detailed design, further community engagement and consenting processes, said NZ Transport Agency portfolio manager Colin MacKay. “The first step is land survey and geotechnical testing to fully understand ground conditions. WSP Opus will initially be approaching landowners concerned, ahead of wider community engagement on the new bridge design.”

Construction of this approximately US$13 million project could be under way by the second half of 2019.