Timaru District councillors would like to see the Upper Orari bridge north of Geraldine on State Highway 79 become two-laned. (File)Timaru District councillors have voted against a major upgrade for a route which became a key bypass during recent Rangitata River flooding. JOHN BISSET/STUFF Traffic was built up for hours at the single lane Upper Orari Bridge after the Upper Rangitata River bridge near Arundel was reopened on December 7. A proposal to double-lane the Upper Orari bridge currently sits with the NZ Transport Agency following concerns over safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians using the structure. O'Donnell said there was a much greater need for the two-laning of the Upper Orari bridge, which would provide better access and safer passageway.

Source: Stuff December 17, 2019 04:07 UTC