Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) is currently progressing investigations and furthering design for a single, two-lane bridge to replace Hikuwai Bridge No.1, in line with our Recovery scope.
The State Highway 35 Hikuwai Bridges Replacement Project being led by the Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance has been in a reset period since April with a focus on optimising design to ensure the best outcome for SH35 communities.
The reset period and recent budget announcement has provided an opportunity to rescope how the design and construction fits within the regional recovery as a whole.
Alternative design options have been explored such as using different foundations, single bridge options and confirming the suitability of the current by-pass route.
Following this process, the design team is currently progressing investigations and furthering design for a single, two-lane bridge to replace Hikuwai Bridge No.1, in line with our Recovery scope.
In partnership with Iwi, TREC remains committed to providing a long-term and resilient solution and will share more detailed information as the design is progressed.
Subject to consents and design, we are hoping to start construction in early 2025.
In February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle caused significant damage of State Highway 35 (SH35) and washed away Hikuwai No.1 Bridge cutting off communities in Tokomaru Bay and further north from whanau, essential supplies and healthcare needs.
In March 2023 a community-led bypass route which connects Gisborne to Tokomaru Bay and runs to the east of Hikuwai River was opened. It was constructed by local business Kuru Contractors, which NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) supported and worked with Ngāti Porou to restore the connection and reconnect communities.
On 15 June 2023, the state highway and communities on either side were reconnected by a temporary Bailey bridge. Spanning 85 metres, the Hikuwai Bailey bridge is the longest in the country.
Both the temporary Bailey bridge and the bypass are vulnerable and the replacement of Hikuwai Bridge No. 1 will provide a permanent solution, critical to avoiding future disruptions to communities
