Makarika bridge another casualty after Cyclone Gabrielle

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Makarika bridge near Ruatorea has been added to the list of bridges severely damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.

It was permanently closed on Saturday and is the ninth bridge in the region that needs rebuilding.

Gisborne District Council said although the bridge was still standing, there was significant structural damage — meaning it was also unsafe for pedestrians to walk on.

Council community lifelines director David Wilson said after several inspections, it was found the bridge’s piles were severely damaged, requiring a full-blown structural replacement of one section.

“The damage sustained is worse than we first thought. Inspections have found large cracks in the piles, meaning the structural components of this bridge need to be replaced.

Contractors were on site over the weekend to create a new ford crossing for locals.

“We want to keep the community informed about plans in place for all nine bridges that are permanently down.

Mr Wilson said the “first job” was to provide temporary access to the communities cut off by bridge closures.

“Some have already had temporary measures in place with ford crossings.

“We hope to get other temporary measures to the other sites over the next few weeks.”

A range of temporary solutions were being used, including shipping containers and converted railway carriage decks.

“Each waterway has its own peculiarities and hydraulic assessments are being carried out before the temporary bridges and access roads are installed. We’ve done a lot in a short time to get to this point.”

More permanent solutions were being worked on in the background. The timeline for getting it done was three to five years.

“We are going to try to build back better so our infrastructure can sustain the impacts of these heavy rain events which will increase with frequency in our region,” Mr Wilson said.

OTHER DAMAGED BRIDGES AND TEMPORARY ROUTES

■ The Hangaroa Bridge is being temporarily replaced by a converted railway carriage chassis  which will be used to form a temporary crossing.

■ The Bushy Knoll Bridge has been replaced by a temporary bridge on Bushy Knoll Road.

■ In the case of  the damaged Huiarua Bridge, an alternative road access is being used by Upper Mata Road residents, who are using Ihungia Road.

■ For Te Kowhai Bridge users, a causeway is being opened, weather permitting.

■ Shipping containers will be used to construct a temporary crossing for the damaged Hikuwai Bridge

■ While residents  are using a ford crossing with 4WD vehicles for Greys Bridge on Bruce Road. the council is looking at shipping containers as a temporary crossing as well.

■  For Burgess Bridge users, a converted railway carriage chassis will be used to form a temporary crossing.

■ An  alternative road access for Ruakaka Bridge is already available.

■ Only Awatere Bridge  is not permanently closed so not counted in the nine. In March, temporary repairs were made to allow light vehicles only to travel across it. The council is working on a permanent solution, and expects to start work this summer.