Contractors clear way to allow bridge single lane to open
A temporary single-lane track is due to open to traffic at the State Highway 35 Motu River bridge after contractors cleared the way following a major collapse last week.
The highway has been closed near the bridge since Wednesday night following severe cracking and a section of the eastbound lane falling into the river. However, over the weekend contractors were able to create a makeshift track to allow light vehicles through under a temporary speed limit.
The single lane was opened to traffic between 5pm Saturday and was due to be closed at 7am today before reopening later today between 5pm and 8pm.
The safety of the temporary track will be reassessed tomorrow with heavy rain forecast overnight.
“Our contractors have been working flat out — at all hours and in all weather — to do what they can to stabilise the river bank and create a safe temporary track to allow locals an opportunity to get through,” national emergency response manager Mark Owen said on Saturday.
“A more permanent solution will take some time.
“Waka Kotahi advises locals use these travel windows to get essential supplies for their wha¯nau and businesses during this relatively settled weather period. It may not be possible to get through next week, depending on what the weather brings.”
Contractors and geotechnical specialists had been working first to ensure the safety of the site and stabilise the embankment as well as investigating solutions. The extremely high river level and high water velocity make this challenging.
With rain forecast to return this week, people living alongside SH35 were encouraged to prepare for bad weather and make sure they had everything they need to avoid having to travel. “Safety is paramount. It is not possible yet to give a timeframe for when the road to be back to full functionality,” Owen said.
“We will only reopen the road when we are confident it is safe to do so, for both road users and our road workers. In the meantime we ask for patience and respect for our workers at the site. They’re doing everything they can to see this happen as soon as possible.”