Final repairs to Victoria Bridge due next week

Cambridge’s iconic Victoria Bridge is almost back to looking its best, with the final repairs to crash damage due to start on Monday (July 6).

To complete the work, contractors will need to work underneath the bridge for up to three days to replace one broken footpath support.

Transportation manager Bryan Hudson said that while the work is underway, small sections of the footpath on one side of the bridge will be coned off.

“Pedestrians will either be directed to use the other side of the bridge, or guided safely through the area when the work pauses. Some of the activity will cause noise and footpath vibrations, which will be temporarily stopped to allow people to pass through safely.”

The damage occurred in November, when a car and a van collided on the Cambridge town side of the bridge. The car went through the side barrier, damaging the pedestrian barriers, timber railing, and a concrete plinth supporting the footpath. After close inspection, Waipā District Council and engineering consultants Beca were able to ascertain that no structural harm was done to the bridge, and it remained perfectly safe for everyone.

“Work has taken longer than planned, as additional design work was needed to determine how best to replace the damaged plinth without fully closing the footpath,” Hudson said.

“Some of the damaged components, including sections of railing, were completed in April and May, which had to be custom-made and sourced from overseas."

Victoria Bridge is a Heritage New Zealand Category One structure, and remains one of Cambridge’s most significant landmarks. It was built in 1905 and shipped in pieces from New York, before being taken by rail to either side of the Waikato River for assembly.