A major milestone has been reached in Christchurch's transport infrastructure project after a new pedestrian and cycling bridge was successfully lifted into place over State Highway 76/Brougham Street overnight.
According to a report by 1News, the 37-metre bridge truss was positioned using two large cranes during an overnight operation on Friday. Most of the installation was completed before midnight, with around 100 spectators gathering outside the road closure area to watch the complex lift.
To allow the work to be carried out safely, Brougham Street was closed to traffic from 8 pm on Friday until 5 am on Saturday. The road has since reopened following the successful completion of the operation, 1News has reported.
The bridge forms a key part of the New Zealand Transport Agency's SH76/Brougham Street upgrade project. Once completed, it will provide a safe, traffic-free crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and people using scooters, improving connections to nearby schools, workplaces and residential neighbourhoods, as reported by 1News.
Construction of the bridge is expected to be completed by November, when it will officially open for public use.