People travelling on State Highway 2 between Awakeri and Tāneatua from Monday 24 January to Friday 28 January 2022 are asked to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys, due to maintenance works on the Pekatahi Bridge.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises the bridge will be closed between 8am and 4pm on Monday 24 January, Tuesday 25 January and Wednesday 26 January 2022, while contractors undertake bridge deck repairs and resurfacing.
Due to the narrow width of the bridge, it needs to be closed to ensure this work can be carried out safely. The closure has been scheduled during the school holidays to minimise disruption to motorists.
On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 January 2022, the bridge will be reopened under a temporary speed limit of 30kmh, to allow the new chip to bed in safely.
When the bridge is closed there will be a detour in place through Whakatāne, with northbound traffic using Tāneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and State Highway 30 towards Awakeri. Southbound traffic will use the same route, in reverse. This detour is expected to add approximately 10 minutes to travel times and is suitable for High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV).
Outside work hours the road will operate as normal.
In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.
Map of detour route
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