Pekatahi Bridge to Close for One Day After Surface Concerns from Locals
- Holly Grundy
- 2 minutes ago
- 1 min read
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has announced a one-day closure of the Pekatahi Bridge to carry out essential emergency repairs on the bridge deck.
The closure follows a number of complaints about road conditions after recent surface works carried out around Easter.
State Highway 2 (SH2) will be closed at the Pekatahi Bridge on Monday, May 19, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
The repair work will include replacing damaged decking planks and fixing or removing broken and protruding screws. If weather permits, contractors will also undertake chipseal patching to improve the bridge surface.
In a public statement, NZTA acknowledged that SH2 is a vital connection for the Bay of Plenty region and assured residents they understand the inconvenience of a closure. However, due to the narrow width of the bridge and the nature of the repairs, a full daytime closure is necessary for safety and efficiency.
Motorists are advised to allow an additional 20 minutes of travel time. A detour will be in place via Tāneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street, and State Highway 30 (SH30) toward Awakeri.