Dartmoor’s temporary bridge re-opens to light traffic after damage

The bridge that connects the Dartmoor community with Napier was closed to vehicles on Thursday. Photo / Paul Taylor

Dartmoor’s temporary bridge was re-opened to light traffic on Friday, a day after being closed following a heavy vehicle crossing it and causing damage.

Hastings District Council (HDC) announced the closure of the cyclone-hit community’s temporary bridge on Dartmoor Rd on Thursday afternoon.

Photos of the bridge taken by Hawke’s Bay Today showed damage in the middle of the bridge.

The bridge goes over the Mangaone River and is located about 30 minutes’ drive west of Napier.

A council update on Friday morning stated an assessment had been carried out and the bridge had been reopened to “light traffic”.

“The contractor has completed some temporary repairs overnight and has advised that the bridge can be re-opened to light traffic up to 3.5 tonnes.

“Traffic management crews are onsite this morning [Friday] and have re-opened access.

Police assessing damage to the bridge after the closure on Thursday. Photo / Paul Taylor

“The long-term solution is being developed and the contractor is exploring options to allow them to begin implementing these at the earliest opportunity.”

A “large load” - understood to be a truck - passed across the Dartmoor temporary bridge which resulted in damage to the bridge deck.

Puketapu School had been notified about the closure and some schoolchildren could be seen being led over the bridge on Thursday afternoon at the end of the school day.

The temporary bridge was opened in March last year after Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed the former bridge.

Residents were using a pulley system and boats to get across the river before the temporary bridge was opened.

There is a long alternate route via a Bailey Bridge at Rissington for heavier vehicles.

Gary Hamilton-Irvine is a Hawke’s Bay-based reporter who covers a range of news topics including business, councils, breaking news and cyclone recovery. He formerly worked at News Corp Australia.