While the Te Reinga Bridge has been reopened to light vehicles and pedestrians, monitoring and inspections are key to the bridge remaining open.

Wairoa District Council staff and contractors are constantly monitoring remote sensors to measure bridge movement and ensure it remains within the safety guidelines to enable the bridge to remain open.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Kitea Tipuna said people need to remember the bridge piers were on a significant lean and there was a possibility the bridge could have collapsed. The current solution is a temporary design, and while it has allowed restricted access, it is not the final solution.

“The bridge behaviour is being carefully monitored and a series of triggers could see the bridge quickly closed to allow further inspections to take place.

“If any of the trigger points are activated, such as the recent occurrence of more than 40mm of rain within a 24-hour period, the bridge will again be closed to the public to allow further monitoring and investigation.

“As we head into more wintery and wet weather the likelihood of the bridge being closed while additional monitoring takes place is likely.

“Our focus is now on working through the options for the final repair design, or if necessary, replacement, of the bridge.

“Thank you again to everyone for their patience, and a reminder only one vehicle on the bridge at a time, follow the three tonne weight limit and 10km speed restriction.”

19 August 2022

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