Te Reinga Bridge will be closed at night until a full evaluation is able to be carried out.

The bridge will close to all access at 8pm every night and re-open at 7am.

Wairoa District Council chief executive Kitea Tipuna said continued rain in the Ruakituri has meant the higher than usual river levels have not receded, meaning any pressure that the receding water could place on the bridge piers has been unable to be monitored.

There is a concern the receding river could put pressure on the bridge piers and until the river recedes and this scenario is able to be measured the safety risk remains high.

Staff will be working over the weekend and monitoring the bridge during the day in order to keep the bridge open between the hours of 7am and 8pm.

Mr Tipuna said these hours will remain in place unless there is a significant change either way, such as a deterioration which will mean further closure or, hopefully, the rain stops, and we are able to monitor any pressure the receding river may place on the piers.

“Any change will be notified on Council’s Facebook page.

“Thank you to everyone for your understanding with the opening and closing of the bridge over the course of the week. We acknowledge this week’s closures have been disruptive, but have also provided information around how the temporary design on the bridge will react to increased river levels which will help inform future high rainfall events.

“Public safety is paramount, and we thank the community for their ongoing patience while this very necessary monitoring work is carried out.”

3 June 2022

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