Traffic was diverted around Empire Bridge from Monday to Wednesday this week to create space for asphalt to be laid.

Rarotonga-based Triad was the company contracted to complete the asphalt work on the new bridge.

The ropes that were acting as speed bumps on the bridge were removed as well.

Landholdings representative John Batty said the company will now reinstate the Vaka Shed that came down during the bridge’s construction.

Gabion baskets – a wire-mesh cage filled with rocks – will also be laid down the side of Empire lane. The stream will also be cleaned to allow more flow, Batty said.

He expects the remaining work to be completed in six weeks, depending on the weather.

Work on the Empire Bridge replacement began on August 11 last year and is costing $5 million.