Work being done earlier this week to close off the bridge.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Work to demolish the City to Sea Bridge in Wellington has been paused at least until the end of the month.
The bridge was fenced off by the council just days after a court case to save the bridge failed, with the decision to proceed with demolition met with public objection.
The bridge sits over Jervois Quay and links the city to the sea.
In an email sent to councillors and seen by RNZ, Mayor Tory Whanau said the work was being paused to await recommendations of the government’s Earthquake-prone building and seismic risk management review.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Whanau said she understood the government would be announcing the recommendations before the end of the month.
“While we do not know what the outcomes of the review will be, it is possible it will have impacts on the Capital E building which is designated earthquake prone under the Building Act,” she said.
“Given the government announcement is now imminent it is sensible that we see what recommendations are before proceeding with any further action on Capital E and the City to Sea Bridge. That way, if any new options emerge as a result of the review recommendations, we can reassess our plans for the bridge.”
She said the council’s chief executive Matt Prosser had given an assurance that no further work would be done on Capital E or the City to Sea Bridge before the end of the month and that officers would carefully review the government’s recommendations when they come out.
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