Ten-day closure while Hikuwai No. 1 dismantled, removed

The crane on site at Hikuwai No. 1 bridge on State Highway 35 will be shifted across the river and used to disassemble the parts of the cyclone-damaged bridge sitting in the river. The Bailey bridge at the site will be closed for 10 days while that work is carried out. Picture by Liam Clayton

The cyclone-damaged Hikuwai No.1 bridge on State Highway 35 will be completely dismantled and transported away later this month.

A Bailey bridge was opened earlier this month replacing the Hikuwai No. 1 bridge north of Tolaga Bay which was destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle.

That bridge will close for 10 days from July 17 to enable the work to be done, taking apart and removing the No. 1 structure.

“During this time, the Pourau Road Bypass will remain open,” said Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Hawke’s Bay  Tairāwhiti system manager Martin Colditz.

The Bailey bridge will reopen at 5am on Thursday, July 27.

“We’re reminding road users to expect delays and plan their journey,” he said.

“During the closure, the crane will be disassembled and moved to the northern side of the river to remove the existing 31m-long beams from the old bridge.

“These beams sit upstream from the Bailey bridge and removing them now will remove any risk they may damage the Bailey bridge in future weather events,” Mr Colditz said.

“At the same time, crews will complete the surfacing of the approaches at either end of the Bailey bridge, making it safer for road users and better able to withstand traffic demands and adverse weather.

“We acknowledge a 10-day closure will be frustrating, especially so soon after opening the bridge,” he said.

“We also want to reiterate our thanks to road users for their support during both the construction period and during the closure, while these works to improve the resilence and reliability of journeys on the East Coast are completed.”