Hawke’s Bay: Truckies rapt as funding announced for Fernhill Bridge strengthening

The SH50 Fernhill Bridge over the Ngaruroro River. Photo / Supplied

Truckies have lauded more than $10 million in Government funding being announced to strengthen the Fernhill Bridge near Hastings, which will put an end to lengthy detours for freight and transport companies.

Fernhill Bridge on State Highway 50, also known as the Ngaruroro River Bridge, has had weight restrictions in place since 2022 and is more than 70 years old.

The bridge links a large agricultural area with Hastings, and is the main access point to the Napier-Taihape Rd from Hastings.

Calls were made a few months ago for the Government to fund strengthening works for the bridge.

Transport companies claimed lengthy detours were costing them millions of dollars annually, given the weight restrictions in place.

Large trucks have been making up to 40km return detours to make deliveries, according to an advocacy group.

On Friday, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) announced the bridge would be strengthened and the weight restrictions lifted upon completion of the project.

“The SH50 Ngaruroro River bridge is an important part of the transport network in Hawke’s Bay and the current speed and weight restrictions have been hugely frustrating,” Bishop said.

“I know freight operators will be relieved that with funding now approved, strengthening work can finally get underway.

“Temporary restrictions on the Ngaruroro River Bridge have been in place since October 2022 after an assessment identified that, while the bridge was structurally safe to use, it did not have the capacity to sustain heavy traffic demands.”

Total project costs are expected to be between $10-$20m.

Design and consenting have been completed and a contractor will be confirmed soon, with construction expected to start in 2026 and take about 11 months.

Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand (TNZ), which advocates for the road freight industry, welcomed the announcement.

“This is a huge win for those in the Hawke’s Bay region who have been waiting for the bridge to be strengthened for three years now,” Lindsay Calvi-Freeman, TNZ’s membership manager for the lower North Island, said.

“The region produces a significant amount of primary products – including 60% of the country’s apples and 12% of our beef.

“These strengthening works will therefore be essential to unlocking the region’s full economic potential.”

Temporary traffic management will continue to be in place during construction.

The bridge currently has a weight restriction of a maximum 31 tonnes for trucks with eight or more axles. There is also a 30km/h speed limit over the bridge.