Damage to historic Sutton Bridge being assessed

The Sutton suspension bridge before the flood. Photos: ODT/Linda Marshall

The future of the flood-damaged historic Sutton suspension bridge over the Taieri River remains unclear as engineers decide what can be salvaged.

The bridge reopened to heavy trucks in June after $350,000 of work, but scaffolding was still in place.

Local residents claim debris caught in the scaffolding contributed to the bridge's demise.
Dunedin City Council strategy and governance general manager Sandy Graham said
engineers were at the site yesterday.

Asked if the bridge could be saved, she said it was "premature'' to comment until the engineers had made their assessment.