A "critical part" of the Hamilton Ring Road project will take shape over the next month with crews working on the Pukete Bridge clip-on.

Construction crews, aided by a 13-tonne crane, were in action yesterday, lowering clip-on frames over the southern side of the bridge.

The framing pairs are being attached to the bridge to support a new 3-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle path.

Once the clip-on is constructed, the existing bridge will be converted to provide two lanes of traffic in each direction along Wairere Drive.

Hamilton City Council city development manager Andrew Parsons said the bridge clip-on was a "critical part" of the Hamilton Ring Road project in terms of improving facilities for motorists, walkers and cyclists.

"The clip-on lanes will connect with existing cycleways and paths, including the new Te Hikuwai Walkway and similar lanes at the River Rd-Wairere Dr insection," Mr Parsons said.

"Cycleways are an important part of the Hamilton Ring Road project and roads which connect with it, including the riverbank cycle paths which are popular with city residents and visitors."

Mr Parsons said the crane would be onsite for four to six weeks, but the bridge work was weather dependant.

The existing 50kmh speed limit will remain on the bridge.

"Wind is a factor in this part of the job, strong winds will present a risk and obviously heavy rain is not conducive to this part of the project," Mr Parsons said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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