Daytime closures will be required for Albert Town Bridge on State Highway 6, near Wānaka, from next week as the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) embarks on the latest phase of its upgrades to local wastewater infrastructure. 

To allow work on a wastewater pipe installation, the bridge is scheduled to be closed in both directions on weekdays, between 9am and 5.30pm, from Monday 3 August to Friday 14 August, 2026. A detour will be in place during these closure times, via State Highways 6 and 8A, across Luggate Red Bridge, Kane Road, Gladstone Road, and Camphill Road (see map below). 

QLDC says its crews need to connect a new seismic-resilient pipe beneath Albert Town Bridge to the main wastewater pipeline. This involves digging trenches at the bridge entrances and exits and connecting the pipe to the bridge structure. Due to limited space within the road corridor, a full bridge closure is required. 

Traffic lights at the Albert Town Bridge will be manually operated before and after the daily bridge closures to help traffic move efficiently during peak travel periods. During the closures, traffic light sequencing on Luggate Red Bridge will be modified by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) as needed to help manage detour traffic and minimise delays.

 Those who are using the detour during these daytime closures are urged to allow extra time for their travel. QLDC acknowledges this is a significant disruption and appreciates the patience of road users.