State Highway 26 is expected to reopen on time despite flooding at the site of the bridge replacement, the transport agency says.
New Zealand Transport Authority Waka Kotahi said work to replace the bridge on the highway at Onetai Rd between Pūriri and Hikutaia was well underway, and the road was expected to reopen on March 10, within the advertised four-week closure.
However, the project hasn’t been without its hiccups. A photo supplied to The Profile shows submerged construction equipment in the stream, as a storm event over the weekend of February 15-16 caused flooding at the site.
A statement from NZTA said the flooding did not cause significant damage, and although the team were unable to work for a day, the time was quickly made up.
“The area around the bridge is known to flood, which is why the work needed to be done during the drier summer months, and some allowance for this was built into the timeline of the programme. Works within the flood zone are substantially advanced now,” the statement said.
Acting regional manager of infrastructure delivery Darryl Coalter told The Profile the agency was committed to completing the build as quickly as possible.
“The team replacing the bridge over Onetai stream is making good progress. They are currently finishing off the installation of the bridge abutments… after that’s complete they’ll move on to building the new road approaches and sealing the surface of the bridge,” he said.
“The bridge will initially reopen to one way traffic, to enable the team to finish the road approaches and other aspects of the project.”
Contractors are working extended hours on the project, NZTA said, with two shifts during daylight hours.
The road closure has been difficult for many, including businesses, workers and students. Cathy Haigh from The Cheese Barn at Matatoki said she had seen a noticeable drop in custom, despite efforts to inform people the cafe was still open.
“It definitely has had an impact on us. I’ve put posts on Facebook but… people are still confused, they’re still ringing and going, ‘how do I get to you?’
“We had a good weekend, Sunday was very busy. But then I’m having to let some of my staff go home early during the week because it just dies in the afternoon usually. There’s no one here.”
Meanwhile, Hikutaia School students who live on the Thames side of the roadworks have been given a workaround solution by NZTA, to enable them to get to school without facing the 45-kilometre detour.
“The project team has built a pedestrian bridge over the stream as an interim measure, which is being well used by local school children and their families,” Darryl said.
“Because it’s part of the work site – children, parents/caregivers and teachers are escorted across at designated crossing times. Around 30 school children are affected by this closure. While we can’t provide alternative access for cars, we wanted to see what we could do for the kids.”
