HIKUAI BRIDGE WORK HALTED AFTER DETERMINING THAT MORE STEEL PLATES REQUIRED
Written by John Grant on November 30, 2021
Planned work to repair the State Highway 25 Hikuai River bridge, south of Tairua, has been halted after discovering what was planned is inadequate and more larger plates need fitting.
As an interim step, the bridge will have additional asphalt surfacing laid, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Wednesday). Traffic will be stopped in both directions for up to half an hour at a time between 9:15am and 4pm. Contractors will ensure the bridge is open for traffic leaving Tairua after school finishes around 3pm. This work is weather dependent and will likely be postponed in the event of rain.
The night work on the bridge this week has been to install plates to protect the deck surface but has been halted while larger plates are located and prepared.
This means that once sourced and prepared, additional night closures will be required on the Hikuai River Bridge in December. Details on this will be shared with the community once they have been confirmed.
There is no local detour around the Hikuai River Bridge, with the only available alternative route using SH25 and State Highway 25A around the Coromandel Peninsula and motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays.
The Hikuai River bridge requires a full deck replacement and this is expected to be done in 2022.
Carma Gilcken On November 30, 2021 at 6:35 pm
Well what a waste of time and money! Whoever is in charge of that debarcle should be sacked
Diane Drinkwater On November 30, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Why dont they just fix it now. Can spend heaps on a cycle/walking bridge on the other side of Tairua…This Hikuai Bridge has been here for over 50years. Were told way back then it was temporary then. JUST REPLACE IT before something happens..
Simons Peter On November 30, 2021 at 9:04 pm
100% should have been replaced years ago, was a Bailey Bridge put in temporary but never fixed, have witnessed a couple of head on on this particular Bridge, well over due for replacement ????
Vicki On December 1, 2021 at 4:00 pm
That bridge needs to be replaced, and with two lanes. Also, it gets really bad sunstrike in the mornings. I’ve had a couple of near misses there driving into Tairua from Hikuai, for work. If it is to remain as a single lane bridge, the signage seriously needs to be improved, or maybe they could put in traffic lights for all the people who are unable to read the signs.