Wairoa’s bridge strengthening programme is continuing with the Barker Bridge on the Ruakturi Road the next bridge to receive attention.

The work will mean another Ruakituri Road closure, likely for seven days in April.

The Barker Bridge strengthening is part of a district-wide bridge strengthening programme to meet the changes around HPMV (high productivity motor vehicles) ratios and open more HPMV routes throughout the regions.

The work on the Barker Bridge is programmed to start in late April carried out by Quality Roading and Services (Wairoa) Ltd.

The road closure is expected to be seven days with pedestrian access available.

Wairoa District Council interim chief executive Kitea Tipuna acknowledged that residents in this area have already been inconvenienced by the three-week closure of the Doughboy Bridge in January to allow bridge strengthening work to be carried out.

“I know this is a further disruption and I thank the affected residents for their patience and understanding. It is important these bridges are brought up to standard and we have planned to have the necessary work completed in the shortest possible time frame.

“Residents can take the detour route which is via Erepiti Road/Ohuka Road and State Highway 38, but this will add at least an hour each way to the trip.”

The Barker Bridge is a single lane single span bridge 9.03km up the Ruakituri Road.

The strengthening has the added benefit of reduced future maintenance costs and provides a future ready structure that can assist local haulier companies by allowing higher productivity motor vehicles access along the route.

The Barker Bridge was assessed under Council’s bridge strengthening and assessment programme which was funded through the Provincial Growth Funding and the strengthening work will also be carried out through this funding.

Information boards advising of the road closure will go up closer to the programmed work time and affected residents will be advised via a letter drop.

Any further queries can be directed to the Wairoa District Council on 06 838 7309.

2 March 2021

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