An extensive repair programme to upgrade the strength of the superstructure of the 215m-long Mohaka Bridge on SH50 between Napier and Taupo has been wrapped up.
Since the upgrade began on October 31 last year speed limits on the approaches and across the bridge had been lowered to 30km/h and weight restrictions placed on heavy vehicles with the crossing reduced to a single lane.
Traffic lights and manual stop/go controls at busy times were introduced.
By late January contractors expected to wrap the job up by late April but the scale of the project saw that extended to late May. That then was pushed to the end of June and then the end of July.
The work has been a continuation of major restrengthening and safety-boosting projects around the bridge which was built in 1962.
Opus Consultants highway safety engineer John Holschier said while the stretch had been fully reopened there would still be scaffolding removal work taking place beneath the bridge.
He also said it was unlikely to be the end of the long-term work required as the 53-year-old bridge had "ongoing issues".
In 2009 a seismic strengthening overhaul was carried out and three years ago a seven-week strengthening programme took place to meet the demands of increased heavy transport usage.
The work has been the largest scale project carried out on the region's highways over the past year.
There are no work programmes taking place at this time on SH5.
A major deep sewer main installation across SH2 just south of the Napier Rd intersection at Mangateretere is likely to cause traffic disruption and delays with Napier-bound motorists advised to look at taking a detour via Ruahapia Rd and Whakatu Rd through Whakatu.
Delays are likely to continue through until next Wednesday.
On SH2 north between Napier and Gisborne a six-month tree felling programme being carried out by Pan Pac Forests around the Mohaka Hill region will see speed restrictions and stop-go signalling in place at times with minor delays expected.
Speed restrictions and signals will also be in place from next Monday through to Friday at the Mohaka Viaduct and between Tangoio Valley and Putorino while slip clearance and drainage work is carried out. On SH2 south between Napier and Dannevirke there are various work sites between Clive and Hastings and between Pakipaki and Takapau, with minor delays expected.