The design of the permanent replacement Te Reinga Bridge is underway, and on-site construction is set to begin in January of next year.

The replacement bridge proposal is a one-lane, 90.5m long network arch spanning the entire riverbed and a 13.5m long land span. At its highest point, the network arch will be approximately 18m tall.

The bridge will be designed to withstand flood and earthquake events in accordance with NZTA Waka Kotahi’s requirements and built to modern design standards, which are significantly more advanced than those used for the original bridge, meaning it should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions.

The bridge will feature a single-span network arch design, eliminating the need for a pier in the riverbed. This approach will enhance resilience and minimise environmental disruption, preserving the mauri of the awa. Piers from the previous bridge will be removed from the river, reducing the risk of future failures and improving resilience.

The network arch will be made of weathering steel, and the land span and pier will be constructed out of concrete.

The bridge will be rebuilt along the existing alignment and accommodate vehicles and pedestrians, with a reduced speed limit and a locally supported drop in speed environment.

The bridge will be designed for current loading standards and open for High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV), with some restrictions for over dimension vehicles.

The Te Reinga Bridge was initially damaged during the floods in March 2022. Further damage occurred in February 2023 during Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused a pier to wash away, leading to the bridge's closure.

The old bridge was demolished in June 2023, and a temporary bridge (including a Bailey bridge) was constructed to restore access between the Te Reinga and Ruakituri communities.

The procurement process for construction has begun, with completion planned for December 2025.

Caption: An indication of what the new Te Reinga Bridge could look like.

22 October 2024

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