Access to Mangamahu restored with Bailey bridge

Six weeks after the only bridge out of Mangamahu collapsed into the river, residents have a new link to the outside world.

The tiny community 40km northeast of Wanganui was virtually cut off after torrential rain washed out a bridge over the Mangawhero river on July 9.

Mail and food supplies had to be flown in by helicopter, until a private farm track was made available for 4WD vehicles.

However, this track could not carry sheep and cattle trucks, and Wanganui mayor Michael Laws said $20 million worth of stock was trapped in the isolated valley.

Last Friday a Bailey bridge was installed by Transit New Zealand, with funding from government.

Wanganui District Council infrastructure manager Julian Reweti said the temporary, moveable bridge would eventually be replaced with a permanent structure, but it could take up to two years.

Meantime, the Bailey bridge would serve the township and farmers' needs to move stock.

"It's what you call a class one loading (bridge) -- it can take what you would normally take on road. But you drive slowly across it, 30kmh," Mr Reweti said.

He said about 200 people lived in Mangamahu, and they were delighted about the new bridge.

"Just the fact that they are not isolated, they're pretty happy about that."

- NZPA