A few surprises were unearthed during preliminary site works at the Lower Queen Street bridge replacement site last month.

The road was closed for five days in mid-May so contractors could carry out investigations and prepare the area for construction.

Crews identified critical services like sewer and treated water pipes, as well as telecommunications and electricity cables that need to be moved away from the construction zone before work can begin.

Electronic location equipment was used to identify underground services followed by ‘potholing' which is an investigative method where the utilities are exposed by water blasting numerous exploratory holes at various depths.

An 'interesting' but worthwhile outcome of the potholing was that we discovered a couple of utility lines and other existing underground structures that hadn't been documented over the years.

We've now dealt with these and can move on with the project in which the first phase will be the relocation of these underground utilities and preparing for the construction of a temporary road and bridge to bypass the construction zone. This phase will start mid-June.

The new bypass will be a fully formed road able to cope with the regular traffic flows, including heavy vehicles, on Lower Queen Street and work on that is expected to begin in September.