The pathway extension was funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency so the council held a special meeting where it agreed to put in an additional $200,000 for a special see-through railing.
The structure was protected by Heritage New Zealand. Built in 1925, it was a significant example of a reinforced concrete bridge, so approval for the change was being sought.
Gisborne mayor Meng Foon said the inland side of the bridge would also be removed when the time was right.
This would also allow motorists uninterrupted views of the Turanganui River, which happened to be officially the shortest river in the Southern Hemisphere.