For Mike Wilson and his crew there's nothing like a challenge — like taking a bridge apart, strengthening it, and putting it all back together again in just 68 hours.
Mr Wilson is manager of Quality Roading Services Wairoa, and said he was keen to take up the challenge of completing the required work on the Waitahora Bridge in what will effectively be record time after the Wairoa District Council had specified it be closed for the minimum amount of time to reduce disruption to traffic and keep costs down.
He said QRS was "up for the challenge" and that challenge will kick off on Friday morning.
Strengthening of the 12m single-span one-lane bridge, which is 2km up Tiniroto Rd from Frasertown, will ensure it can cater for heavy vehicles now using the road.
The task is not exactly a straight forward one as it involves the complete removal of the deck of the bridge, and then its rebuild.