Uncertainty Remains Over Steel Plates for Pekatahi Bridge

NZTA said from April 13th to April 17th, crews will be repairing and replacing damaged boards on the Pekatahi Bridge, while continuing to assess whether steel plate installation is feasible.

The bridge will be closed to all traffic from 8:30am to 4:30pm for five days as deck repairs are completed. 

Motorists will need to detour through Whakatāne using the Landing Road Bridge.

During the closures, crews will remove broken or loose boards, replace cracked and damaged boards and install a new side rail. 

NZTA recognised the bridge is showing its age and requires frequent maintenance.

However, it warned that even after maintenance, the bridge surface will remain rough and will not provide a smooth driving experience.

The repairs are aimed at managing safety risks and extending the life of the existing bridge until it is replaced, it said.

NZTA said a detour will be in place from 8:30am to 4:30pm  IMAGE: NZTA

While some community members are calling for the new bridge to be delivered sooner, NZTA said it is focused on keeping the current structure safe and operational. 

Despite earlier discussions about installing steel plates during the April closure, a decision has not yet been made.

NZTA Bay of Plenty Area Manager Sandra King said project teams are weighing up the option due to the length of closure required. 

NZTA said teams are still carefully assessing how steel plate installation could be carried out while minimising disruption to road users and the local community.

Two weeks ago, East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick told 1xx she had been assured steel plates would be installed.

"The sooner we can get to April and get that maintenance done that will see the deck replaced with the steel deck, that will make a big difference for people," she said. 

King said the scheduled maintenance is part of ensuring the existing bridge lasts until 2029. 

"The replacement bridge is still a few years away, so our focus is keeping the current bridge safe and open for everyone who relies on this route."

The school holiday timing was chosen to reduce disruption, with lower traffic volumes and no school buses.

King acknowledged the daytime closures will be disruptive, but said it's necessary due to the narrowness of the bridge and to ensure worker safety.

NZTA said full plank replacement can only be carried out when the bridge is fully closed, and it will increase safety inspections and carry out minor repairs outside of full closures where possible.