Opening date locked in for Mangaweka Bridge

The opening of the new Mangaweka Bridge has been brought forward following an agreement between mana whenua and district councils.

The $11 million replacement bridge, which crosses the Rangitīkei River, connecting the Rangitīkei and Manawatū districts, is set to open on Friday, May 20.

The two districts’ councils and iwi Ngāti Hauiti had been preparing to open the bridge next month, but had now settled on the earlier date.

A joint statement from the councils onWednesday said the bridge was ahead of schedule despite various challenges and supply chain issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

There had been some contention over when the bridge would open.

While construction finished earlier this year, barring alignment work and final checks, Rangitīkei council had entered an agreement with Ngāti Hauiti for a June opening, with a pou being prepared for a ceremony.

But Manawatū councillor Andrew Quarrie told Radio New Zealand in April he had been advised the bridge could have been open as early as February and was critical of the delay and its impact on commuters.

The bridge would be a vital link between the two districts.

It took a year to build, replacing a 116-year-old, one-lane bridge that could handle only one light vehicle at a time.

When confirming the opening date, Manawatū mayor Helen Worboys said the speed of the construction had caught everyone by surprise.

‘‘It’s going to make a big difference for the people that live here.

‘‘It will help to reduce transport costs for farmers who are struggling at themoment with increased financial pressures.”

Therewas still work to be done to complete the bridge approaches, meaning the new bridgewould at times be open to light traffic to allow for construction work prior to the official opening.

Landscaping and gardening work on the approaches to the bridgewould continue after the bridge had been opened.

Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson said he was grateful to iwi for agreeing to contractual changes to bring the bridge’s opening forward.

A pou will be unveiled by Ngāti Hauiti at the blessing and opening ceremony at 10am on May 20.