Pekatahi Bridge to Close Overnight for "Essential Bridge Maintenance" as Replacement Plans Progress

Pekatahi Bridge on State Highway 2 near Tāneatua will close overnight for three nights from Sunday 23 August, while crews carry out maintenance work beneath the ageing one-lane crossing.

The bridge will close to all traffic from 8pm to 6am on Sunday 23, Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 August, with the work focused on tightening clamps beneath the bridge deck.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says the work is needed to maintain the integrity of the bridge and reduce wear on its timber beams.

Crews have already tightened clamps that can be reached safely from land. The remaining work is over water and will require specialist machinery capable of reaching over the side of the bridge.

NZTA Bay of Plenty Area Manager Sandra King says the overnight closures are necessary because the equipment cannot be safely operated while traffic is crossing the bridge.

“We know any closure of Pekatahi Bridge is disruptive, and we plan these works carefully to reduce impacts as much as we can,” King says.

Traffic will be detoured via Tāneatua Road, Valley Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and SH30 through Awakeri.

NZTA says road users, including freight operators and interregional traffic, should allow up to 20 minutes of additional travel time.

A detour will be in place, however motrirst should allow an extra 20 minutes travel time. IMAGE // NZTA

The closure comes as work continues towards replacing the 100-year-old bridge with a new two-lane crossing.

In July, NZTA awarded Beca the contract for detailed design and consenting of the replacement bridge.

The proposed 325-metre bridge is expected to be built alongside the existing structure, allowing traffic to continue using the current crossing during construction.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2027, subject to funding approval, with the build taking between 18 and 24 months.

Until the replacement is built, NZTA says the existing bridge will continue to be monitored and maintained, including regular inspections and short closures when required.

Whakatāne District Council will also carry out culvert work on Tāneatua Road during the three-night closure, although NZTA says the work will not affect traffic using the designated detour.