KEY POINTS:
A temporary crossing over a stream in the Far North has been created, reconnecting communities cut off from the rest of New Zealand by flooding this week.
The Mitimiti Bridge, north of Te Kao, was closed on Wednesday after severe flooding washed away an embankment.
The collapse effectively cut off several communities -- about 500 people -- as the bridge is part of State Highway 1, the only major road in the isolated area.
Transit NZ's northern operations manager Joseph Flanagan said a temporary stone crossing had been laid across the stream next to the bridge.
"This crossing has allowed us to reopen SH1 and communities who were previously cut-off to the north of the Mitimiti stream have access once more," he said.
"We have also successfully repaired the cracks in the Mitimiti bridge and work is progressing well on restoring the southern embankment. Work will be completed by Sunday as planned when the bridge will be reopened."
Mr Flanagan, who visited the worksite with Associate Minister of Transport Judith Tizard today, said Transit was also repairing a number of slips to the north of the bridge.
- NZPA
