Century-old Bay of Plenty bridge to get upgrade after complaints

Funding for a rundown, 100-year-old bridge in the Bay of Plenty has been announced after exasperated transport operators called for extensive repairs or a replacement.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed funding for a total deck replacement of the Pekatahi Bridge on State Highway 2 near Tāneatua.

The bridge is a critical link in the regional roading network and carries all freight to and from the wider East Coast region. It's used by up to 2500 vehicles daily, with around 1000 of those being trucks.

Transport operator Warren Sherborne told 1News it's in "poor, poor condition".

"I absolutely crawl over this bridge... I take up multiple phases of the lights because it's a one-lane, I'm trying to look after the product and I'm also trying to look after the foundation of the bridge," he said.

The $14 million project aims to improve safety and reduce frequent closures, extending the bridge's life by another 20 years with the new deck made of plywood panels bolted in place.

NZTA's Sandra King said the new deck will also have a timber structure, "but we're looking at ensuring that our maintenance strategies on that bridge don't re-occur what we've got at the moment".

While the bridge will be stronger, it won't be any wider, remaining as one lane.

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick told 1News fixing the deck "for now is a great medium-term solution", adding she'll be watching "with interest how the new surface holds up".

"Ultimately, the community needs to begin the push to be further up the list for prioritisation in the regional land transport plan so that the bridge can be replaced with a two-lane enduring solution."

Construction is expected to start in early 2026, with a full bridge closure required for a "significant period".