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King Country News | 1
MARCH 19, 2026
New bridge will be better By Chris Gardner
A new bridge spanning Mangati Stream will be designed to withstand a second one in 250-year severe weather event. New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi plans to open a temporary one-lane prefabricated Acrow steel bridge on State Highway 39 south of Pirongia tomorrow, (Friday). It is a stopgap measure while the old bridge – a victim of last month’s storms - is replaced with something taller and stronger than what went before. NZTA area manager Andy Oakley hoped construction of the new permanent bridge might begin before the end of winter. “It’s hard to know how long it will be before we have the design in place,” he said. “The amount of
water we had was significant and the new design will need to cater for that.” The installation of the temporary bridge had cost NZTA’s emergency response fund $1.6 million to date. It’s five weeks since a Valentine’s Day flood cascaded down the maunga, took out the bridge, and diverted income out of the township. Tomorrow, the first of about 4200 vehicles should be able to cross the bridge after five weeks of intensive work on the site. Work has been ongoing seven days a week to get the new bridge in. “All the resources that has been reasonable to thrown at it has been thrown at it,” Oakley said. This week Fulton Hogan construction divisional manager Gordon Inglis said workers were
Workers prepare to lay paving north of Mangati Stream’s temporary bridge. Photos: Chris Gardner
completing the approaches to the new bridge. Meanwhile several tracks in Pirongia Forest Park have reopened in the wake of February storm significantly damaged the network across the maunga. Damage included slips and downed trees. Floodwaters destroyed some bridges and steps. Conservation Department Waikato Operations Manager Niwha Jones says staff have completed initial assessments on all tracks across the park, and several have now reopened.
“The popular Nikau Walk and Loop has reopened – however, visitors should be aware there are contractors working on repairs and there may be pedestrian management in place to ensure visitor safety while machinery is used,” Niwha said. The Pahautea Hut and campsite has reopened for booking – but visitor access is now from Waite Rd and only via Ruapane and Tirohanga tracks. Visitors naturing in that part of the forest park should return via the Tirohanga and Ruapane tracks
to Waite Rd. DOC will plan for repairs to Tahuanui Track. “The Mangakara Nature Walk will remain closed for some time, due to the destruction of two bridges. We will need to plan and budget for replacements.” The Bell Track and Mahaukura Track were significantly damaged by slips and will require further assessment before any decisions are made. The Hihikiwi Track remains unavailable due to the closures of surrounding public roads.
Waka Kotahi area manager Andy Oakley, left, with Fulton Hogan construction divisional manager Gordon Inglis on the bridge.
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