Te Puru Stream Bridge on State Highway 25, approximately 11 km north of Thames, is temporarily restricted to vehicles less than 3.5 metres wide.
Te Puru Stream Bridge on State Highway 25, approximately 11 km north of Thames, is temporarily restricted to vehicles less than 3.5 metres wide.
Vehicles 3.5 metres wide or larger will need to take an alternative route.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is currently in the process of replacing the Te Puru Stream Bridge to help protect the area from flooding. The downstream half of the original bridge was demolished in mid February and traffic is currently travelling on one lane over the remaining half of the old bridge.
The width restriction came into place earlier this week when four new beams were placed to form part of the new bridge. The placement of these beams has temporarily restricted the lane width on the old bridge, where traffic is currently travelling.
NZTA State Highway Manager Kaye Clark says the majority of traffic will not be affected by the width restriction. However, it may affect some trucks and trailers with over-dimension loads.
Mrs Clark says, "This is a temporary situation until around the end of April when traffic will be switched onto the new half of the bridge."
NZTA apologies for any inconvenience and suggests that all heavy vehicles with over dimension loads check their width before attempting to travel between Coromandel township and Thames.
The new Te Puru Stream Bridge is expected to be completed by June 2010.
