Crews will be at Pongahuru Stream Bridge on State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway next month pouring a new concrete bridge deck.

During the work, the bridge will be closed to agricultural and heavy vehicles over a total of six days between 14 and 17 January (inclusive) and again between 22 and 25 January (inclusive). During those same periods, the bridge will remain open for light vehicles, under stop/go traffic management.

On the first day of each closure, crews will pour a new concrete deck on one lane of the bridge.

The following days are needed to allow the concrete to set. The bridge needs to be closed to heavy vehicles to prevent vibrations that could damage the fresh concrete.

A signposted detour will be in place via SH4, Ohura Road, and Mangaparo Road, before rejoining SH43. This will add about 17 minutes to travel times.

Stop/go traffic management remains in place at the bridge, with delays of up to 5 minutes. These will continue for light vehicles during the heavy vehicle closures. Please take care when driving across the bridge and follow all traffic management in place.

Once both lanes have new concrete, crews will finish strengthening work that has already started on the bridge. All work is expected to be completed by the end of February.

In the meantime, roadworkers are doing temporary repairs on the piece of road that connects to the bridge (bridge approaches). We'll be monitoring these sections over the holiday period and make further repairs if needed.  

We understand that this closure will be an inconvenience for the local community and everyone who uses this stretch of road. 

The bridge remains structurally sound and next month’s work will ensure the bridge remains fit for purpose for longer.