Te Reinga Bridge hauled out of river

Cables are attached to the Te Reinga Bridge after it was lowered into the river.

Work continued this week on removing the 100-metre-long Te Reinga Bridge at Ruakituri.

The bridge was severely compromised during flooding in early 2022 and closed to heavy traffic. It was then critically damaged  in Cyclone Gabrielle in February. The centre pier disappeared into the swollen river causing the bridge to sag between the two remaining piers. It has been closed to traffic since then.

Demolition contractors from Auckland lowered the sagging bridge into the river on Monday. It was to be slowly winched out.

Contractors from Gisborne and out of the district have been involved in the major project.

Once the bridge has been removed a Bailey bridge will be installed between two newly built staging areas.

Wairoa civil construction company QRS is managing the project.  Construction manager Mike Wilson said reconnecting the Ruakituri community with the rest of the district was motivation for the crews.

“When one of us has to drive around to the other side of the river you get a small understanding of what residents have to deal with every time they head to town. “