Dundas St bridge to reopen to pedestrians

Otago Regional Council flood work has completely blocked Dundas St at the intersection with Leith St in North Dunedin since late February. Photo: ODT files

It is expected to open for vehicles in about a month.

Otago Regional Council flood work has completely blocked Dundas St at the intersection with Leith St in North Dunedin since late February.

Initially it was expected to re-open in July, but during construction the council found extra work was required which delayed the project.

Council operations general manager Gavin Palmer said it would need to ensure the bridge was returned to full load-bearing capacity before it could reopen to vehicles, which was expected to be completed by mid-November.

"Otago Regional Council appreciates the bridge closure, as part of the Leith Flood Protection Scheme, has been an inconvenience to locals and people coming into the area.

"We have been able to complete works to a point where we can safely open a walkway across the bridge to allow pedestrians through."

While pedestrians could cross the bridge from tomorrow, there would be "periodic shutdowns during work hours to safely facilitate some of the works".

Notice of these would be available at the bridge and on the council's Facebook page.

Works would continue in the river near the bridge after it was re-opened, but this would unlikely impact vehicles or pedestrians, Dr Palmer said.

The work is part of the Leith Flood Protection Scheme which has spanned more than a decade