Bridge improvements for Ōtorohanga

Ōtorohanga will see three significant bridge projects happening in the second half of this year, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 

“The Mangaorongo Bridge on State Highway 3 near Ōtorohanga will be repaired after flood damage earlier this year, with NZTA also strengthening the riverbank to help protect the bridge from future floods,” says Mr Bishop.

“On State Highway 39, Symes Bridge over the Moakurarua Stream will be repaired from early July after the February storm caused significant erosion underneath the bridge. This stage of the work should take around 5 weeks to complete. 

“Later this year, the deck and beams will be replaced. Together, these components form the bridge’s superstructure, and replacing them will provide a wider, more resilient and safer structure. 

“Further north on SH39, a temporary single-lane Acrow bridge replaced the Mangati Bridge in March after the original bridge was destroyed in the February flood. 

“A permanent bridge is still a priority and NZTA is currently running a tender process for a two-lane replacement. NZTA will have more to say on this in coming months. 

“This is about fixing the basics and making sure these critical routes stay open and reliable for the communities and businesses that depend on them.”

Notes to editor: 

Traffic over the Mangaorongo bridge, approximately 7km north of Ōtorohanga, will be reduced to one lane with stop/go traffic management when work starts on Monday 29 June, until completion approximately 4 weeks later. 
Work on the Symes Bridge will require a few days of lane closures while equipment is brought to and from site and a temporary access underneath the bridge is built, with shoulder closures in place for the remainder of the time. The second stage of works will require the bridge to be closed for 7 weeks. NZTA will share further information about these works, including the specific dates and detour routes, closer to the time. ...