The remaining planned overnight closures of SH2 Pekatahi Bridge have been postponed following an issue with the specialist equipment needed to complete the work safely.

The bridge will remain open, and road users can continue to use the route as normal. It remains safe for public use.

14 August 2026

Pekatahi Bridge gets a night-time tighten-up

Pekatahi Bridge on State Highway 2 near Tāneatua will close overnight for 3 nights from Sunday 23 August so crews can complete essential bridge maintenance. 

The bridge will be closed to all traffic during the night closures. Each night, the road will be closed from 8:00pm and reopened at 6:00am. 

The work involves tightening clamps under the bridge deck to help maintain the integrity of the bridge and reduce wear and tear on the timber beams. 

Crews have already completed clamp tightening where they can safely access the bridge from land. The next stage involves clamps over water, where crews will use a specialist bridge maintenance machine that can reach over the side of the bridge. For safety, this work cannot be carried out while traffic is using the bridge. 

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Bay of Plenty Area Manager Sandra King says the overnight closures are needed to complete the work safely and efficiently.

“We know any closure of Pekatahi Bridge is disruptive, and we plan these works carefully to reduce impacts as much as we can,” Ms King says. 

“This work is about keeping the existing one-lane bridge safe and serviceable while planning and design continues for the new 2-lane replacement bridge. 

“Some of the bridge deck clamps are above the river, so crews need specialist equipment and a clear work area to reach them safely. Closing the bridge overnight is the safest and most practical way to complete this work.” 

During the closures, all traffic will detour via Tāneatua Road, Valley Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and SH30 through Awakeri. 

Freight vehicles and interregional road users will also need to use this detour and should plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Road users should allow up to 20 minutes extra travel time. 

Whakatāne District Council will also be carrying out culvert works on Tāneatua Road during this time; however, this work will not affect people using the detour route. 

NZTA thanks local communities, nearby residents, businesses, freight operators and road users for their patience while this important maintenance is completed. 

People should check the NZTA Journey Planner before travelling for up-to-date information on road conditions and closure times.