Speed limit on bridge for safety stressed on city bridge

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Tairawhiti Roads has urged drivers using the Gladstone Road Bridge to stick to the 30kmh speed restriction in place on the bridge until the walkway and cycleway project is completed.

Changes have been made to traffic management in place on the bridge.

Access from the bridge straight through to Gladstone Road was restored at the weekend.

“That was in response to community feedback that the detour around the Customhouse Street roundabout was having unintended consequences,” said Tairawhiti Roads general manager Dave Hadfield.

“This is a big project for the region and we want to work with the community through any teething issues to get this right.

“Safety for all road users and our contractors is the top priority, and this may result in road users having to do things differently throughout the construction period.”

Mr Hadfield said the 30kmh speed limit was put in place for the safety of construction workers, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

“This is one of the region’s busiest roads, with 21,000 vehicles using the bridge per day, so it’s crucial that drivers slow down and remain alert while passing through the construction site.”

Tairawhiti Roads has told people to expect delays and to plan extra time for their journeys throughout the duration of this project, which is scheduled for completion in January.

“Safety improvements have also been made for CBD-bound pedestrians, who will be diverted under the bridge to the upstream footpath.

“Extra lighting will be installed under the bridge and a temporary path has been installed to improve access to the footpath,” Mr Hadfield said.

The bridge will be widened by 1.5 metres to create a 3 metre shared path, as part of Gisborne’s Urban Cycling Programme.

Pre-fabricated cantilevered concrete slabs will be put together to extend the width. A new, but identical concrete balustrade will then be installed.