ENROUTE TO REOPENING: The Bailey bridge at Waikare Gorge will be good to go — as will other damaged areas of the highway, including at Devil’s Elbow — from May 14 as access to Napier from Wairoa is restored. Picture supplied
ENROUTE TO REOPENING: The Bailey bridge at Waikare Gorge will be good to go — as will other damaged areas of the highway, including at Devil’s Elbow — from May 14 as access to Napier from Wairoa is restored. Picture supplied
Three months on from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, State Highway 2 will reopen between Wairoa and Napier on Sunday, May 14.
Work to restore access along the cyclone-damaged stretch of highway has progressed faster than anticipated, with favourable weather helping to accelerate construction of the Waikare Gorge Baileybridge.
While construction of the bridge has continued, contractors have also been working on other damaged sites, including at Devil’s Elbow, as well as clearing landslips and debris, and other works to make the road safe.
“Restoring this access has been an absolute priority for Waka Kotahi,” Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional manager of maintenance and operations Jaclyn Hankin said.
“This stretch of State Highway 2 initially saw damage to almost 100 sites — the most damage suffered of any of our regions’ roads.
“The road will look very different from the way it did before the cyclone and we’re still finalising what traffic management and restrictions may be in place to help keep everyone safe and allow our crews to continue repairs to the road.
The new Bailey bridge will be blessed by Ngāti Pāhauwera and Maungaharuru-Tangitu Trust next Saturday.
The entire route reopens to the public on the Sunday.
