Hikuai bridge repairs

The Hikuai River Bridge on State Highway 25 between Tairua and the Pauanui turnoff

will be closed to all traffic for multiple nights in October and November while the bridge

deck is replaced. Many would have hoped for a new bridge but only a deck replacement

for safety reasons is currently planned.

Closures start from Tuesday 25 October to all traffic from 8pm to 6am on Sunday to

Thursday nights, for an expected period of up to four weeks. NZTA say the bridge closure

is necessary while they carry out essential and significant maintenance work. This will

close the eastern seaboard State Highway 25 during the busy pre Christmas build up

period. Many people will be impacted by this and some will have long alternative travel to

Northern towns such as Whitianga, Hahei and Hot Water Beach.

During this time the bridge will be open to traffic during the day with temporary traffic

management and a speed restriction of 10km/h in place.

Story and photo of Hikuai bridge courtesy of John Grant. See more on cfm.co.nz/news/

hikuai-bridge-nzta-replacing-deck-not-bridge-night-closures-for-up-to-4-weeks/

John is standing for Thames Coromandel District Council in the current elections.