Huge detour on cards for bridge work
A detour of up to 158km for at least 10 days is needed to allow must-do bridge repairs on the SH25 Hikuai River Bridge south of Tairua.
Depending on origin and destination, some drivers would need to detour from the Kopu-hikuai intersection all the way up the western Coromandel Peninsula via Coromandel Town and Whitianga to reach Tairua.
More than 4100 vehicles cross the bridge daily with 14.5 per cent of those heavy vehicles.
A report, obtained by the HC Post under the Official Information Act, shows repairs are critical and high priority.
The barrier and truss design on the single lane Hikuai River bridge does not comply with current requirements for collision loads.
The road closures are based on time to complete all three options for repairs, assuming daytime working only, with consultants recommending a review of construction methods because of the impact on road users.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the last general inspection report for Hikuai SST bridge was completed in October 2019 and all critical maintenance work identified in the report has already been carried out.
Consultation on one lane bridge repair work, including the impact on motorists from the detours required, would begin in coming weeks, said NZTA spokeswoman Megan Heffield.
There was no timeframe as yet for any temporary closures and issues such as emergency vehicle access, school routes and ways to minimise disruption to motorists would be part of the planning and communication.
“We’re pretty aware of the [impact] for the Coromandel, a lot of thought
goes into whether a road closure needs to happen and sometimes it does because if you can close the road you might get the work done in half the time rather than dragging it out for weeks. We would look at nights or outside peak times,” she said.
She said the organisation was still confirming exactly what work was needed and therefore could not provide a timeframe.
The report said deck surfacing is in poor repair with engineers advising NZTA against a “do nothing” option.
Two timber deck replacement options were given, along with fixing the existing deck, which is not recommended.
Barriers leading to the bridge, which are designed to protect the truss from wayward vehicles, also needed upgrades.
The recommended option — option 3 — would cost $429,000 and require the shortest road closure, 15 days as opposed to 20 for option 2.
The report said shorter local routes are available but are unlikely to be suitable for all vehicles.
Lobbying has intensified over the safety risks of this bridge, the Pepe Bridge in Tairua and other one lane bridges along State Highway 25 on the Coromandel Peninsula’s eastern seaboard.
Queues of up to 10km form during peak season and local politicians are among those raising concerns over the one lane Graham’s Creek Bridge at the north end of Tairua, Waiwawa Bridge in Coroglen, the Pepe Stream Bridge and Hikuai River Bridge on SH25.
The Tairua Residents and Ratepayers Association and Stewart Ball — a local politician — are among those lobbying, saying the Pepe Inlet bridge needs urgent work or replacement before the timeframe indicated.
NZTA says the organisation is actively monitoring the condition of all bridges and work had to be prioritised against not only the Waikato but the whole of New Zealand. However, safety was a priority. “We would leave none of the bridges in an unsafe state,” said Megan Heffield. “Safety is the utmost priority and if [work] was needed for safety, we would make it happen. We can understand the community’s frustrations particularly around [traffic delays at] New Year’s and we’re working through a process for them, but safety wise, people don’t have to worry.”
A recent report on the Waiwawa Bridge at Coroglen reported cracks and recommended close up inspection of the deck and beams underneath, with suggestions to follow.
Consultants Beca agreed with Waka Kotahi to monitor the 61m long bridge every two months.
TRRA president Jean Mccann and Anne Stewart-ball, a resident of Tairua, wrote to NZTA to say there was a serious risk of incident or accident due to the Pepe bridge condition. Since then the sides of the bridge have been partially replaced.
“We need action rather than talk fests,” wrote Anne.
“The last 30 years has seen increased traffic to this area of the Coromandel Peninsula, with increased population, holiday baches, international and domestic tourism. There are increases in trucking transport to and through this area to other communities for forestry, horticulture, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture with goods and services provision to the area including petrol, diesel and LPG.”
A report on the Hikuai River Bridge estimated 14.5 per cent of vehicles using this bridge — which links the Kopu-hikuai Rd and Whangamata with townships on the eastern Coromandel coast including Tairua — were heavy vehicles.
A September 2018 NZTA/BECA Report on the Pepe Stream Bridge indicated urgent repairs were needed then.
The SH25 Grahams Stream Bridge had $20,600 in repairs recommended after its last inspection.