The final phase of strengthening work on Tutaekuri Bridge (Waitangi) on State Highway 51, at Awatoto, gets under way next week.

As part of the work, the southbound lane will be closed between 9am and 3pm on weekdays. The work will start on Tuesday (27 January) and is expected to be finished on Friday 13 February.

There will be stop/go traffic management in place and delays of up to 30 minutes expected. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place on the bridge.

Once this work is complete, the speed limit on the bridge will increase to 100 km/h – the first time it’s been the same speed as the rest of the highway surrounding it, since Cyclone Gabrielle.

So far Transport Rebuild East Coast crews, who are working on the bridge, have repaired concrete piles on 7 bridge piers in the river. This work hasn’t been visible to motorists. 

However the work starting next week will be removing and replacing 14 damaged bracing beams under the cycle path to help strengthen the bridge.

A temporary scaffold will be constructed on the bridge to allow cyclists and pedestrians to safely use the bridge at all times. Please follow signage.

This work depends on fine weather and may be postponed at short notice.

We know SH51 is a key route linking both Napier and Hastings and understand delays may be disruptive however by restricting the work to off-peak times, we hope this is minimised.