Closure could renew call for new bridge

WATER MARK: Flooding again closed the Waihenga Bridge on SH53 leading into Martinborough on Saturday. PHOTO/FILE.

The closure yet again of the main route into Martinborough due to flooding at Waihenga Bridge could reignite calls for it to be replaced, with urgency.

South Wairarapa District Council has been advocating for years to have the bridge renewed as it becomes unsafe when heavy flooding occurs there, Mark Allingham, the council's manager of infrastructure and services, said.

Despite the council's advocacy upgrading the bridge does not appear to be high on the list of priorities for the New Zealand Transport Agency.

The bridge spans the Ruamahanga River on State Highway 53 that links Martinborough directly to Featherston and ultimately to State Highway 2 and the Wairarapa towns further north.

Fears have been held for years for the sub-structure of the ageing bridge at times of high river flow and, in any event, the carriageway is narrow presenting a challenge at times for drivers especially those unfamiliar with the road.

When it is closed people wanting to travel to and from the township are more or less reliant on the Ponatahi Rd which, in itself at times of flood, can be vulnerable.

In the aftermath of the weekend floods, Mr Allingham said in a positive light was the excellent co-ordination over the entire Wairarapa district by the company responsible for the roads.

He said because all three district councils have now got the same company doing roading work it was much easier for all to determine the status of roads when freak weather events happened.