Access granted to rural community isolated since cyclone hit

The temporary causeway to Te Kowhai Road in Whatatutu has provided access again to rural residents. Picture by Ben Cowper

The road to recovery is well under way with another connection established for a rural community isolated since Cyclone Gabrielle’s destructive path.

Residents of Te Kowhai Road in Whatatutu now cross the river by car after a temporary causeway opened on Tuesday.

The causeway spans the Waipaoa River and restores access after the old Mangatai Access Bridge washed away during the cyclone.

“It will stay in place while planning is under way for the construction of the replacement bridge, which will start being built in around 12 to 18 months,” Gisborne District Council community lifeline director David Wilson said.

“Council staff and contractors worked hard to get this temporary solution open.

“We really want to acknowledge the challenging time it’s been for residents on the other side.”

Residents of Te Kowhai Road had been crossing the river in a dinghy or taking a 45-minute trip by horseback to get to the other side of the river for supplies, or a visit to town.

Mr Wilson said two large culverts had also been installed to help deal with high river flows at the site during rain. The two remaining spans of the old bridge, one on either side of the river, were used to create the causeway between them.

“We’d also like to thank our contractors, Fulton Hogan, who worked hard to get this open.

“Their crew will be using this temporary causeway themselves so they can now progress up Te Kowhai Road to remove slips and open the road to even more residents. It cost around $200,000.”