Good progress is being made on the new Humber St bridge in south Oamaru, and the Waitaki District Council expects it to be completed by Christmas.
Contractor Breen Construction Ltd has put in the concrete decking and is working on the approaches and other parts to complete the job.
Council assets manager Neil Jorgensen praised the contractor for the work, which was delayed after problems were found when rock was struck trying to drive piles.
"We are now on target to open by Christmas," Mr Jorgensen said.
The replacement bridge, originally estimated at $600,000, started in July and was supposed to be completed in October.
It is on a major arterial route to the South Hill of Oamaru and its historic precinct.
But rock was struck under the bridge and piles could not be driven to the depth specified by seismic requirements.
That delayed the project while the support structure was redesigned, adding $200,000 to the cost.
