The Gore District Council says the bridge which collapsed in last week's storm was due to be replaced.
A 50-m section of the Pyramid Bridge in Southland has broken away. Photo: Supplied / Gore District Council
On Thursday, a large section of the Pyramid Bridge collapsed when it was hit by a large amount of debris.
A contractor clearing the debris narrowly escaped the bridge.
Gore District Council chief executive Stephen Parry said they were very surprised that the bridge failed, but it was in worse condition than other bridges, and due for replacement.
"The bridge was programmed for replacement in recent years and it is taking a wee while to get the design off the ground due to a lot of debate around what was needed - single versus double lanes. So in the end we made that decision recently to go to the market with two options."
The collapse also took out the water supply to the small town of Otama, and Mr Parry said it would not be restored until the end of this week.
