Broken bridge's history probed

A bridge on the Hauraki Plains that collapsed just moments after a truck drove over it was installed as a temporary measure nearly 25 years ago and had been damaged two weeks ago.

A truck narrowly escaped plunging off the road after the Grey Bridge, at the intersection of Miranda Rd and State Highway 25 at Waitakaruru, gave way yesterday morning.

The driver was crossing the bridge, about 24km southwest of Thames, when it collapsed about 7am, police said.

The intersection has two one-way bridges and traffic will have to use the remaining bridge until Transit engineers decide what to do.

The Herald was told by locals that the bridge was installed in 1981 as a temporary measure, but had remained intact over the years.

But Transit spokesman Alan Burkett said he could not confirm if it was supposed to be temporary.

He believed it to be a permanent structure but said Transit was looking at its history.

He confirmed the bridge had been damaged about two weeks ago when a truck lost a load while crossing it.

"Whether that had an impact on the bridge we're not sure at this stage."

Mr Burkett said a large truck carrying earthmoving equipment had crossed the bridge yesterday morning moments before it had collapsed, but Transit was still trying to find the driver.

He said it was not known how long the bridge would be closed because Transit had to wait for engineering reports.