11 Nov 2013

Remembrance bridge repair going well

2:02 pm on 11 November 2013

The Christchurch City Council says repair of the city's quake-damaged Bridge of Remembrance is progressing well.

The bridge was structurally damaged in the February 2011 earthquake and detailed examinations show it needs extensive technical repairs.

Workers hope parts of it will be open to commemorate next year's 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I next August.

The council's transport and greenspace unit Manager, John Mackie, says the site is presenting contractors and engineers with plenty of challenges and unexpected findings.

He says the work on the prospective strengthened pile sites has revealed a number of subterranean services including high-voltage cables, and contractor teams have found four layers of coal tar and kerbstones that were the original road surfaces when vehicles were able to drive under the Triumphal Arch.

The Returned Services Association held its Armistice Day service at the adjacent Remembrance Park at 11am on Monday.