Whanganui’s Wakefield Street Bridge closed to vehicles as district council seeks funding

The council does not wish to spend $1.8 million to replace the Wakefield Street Bridge in Wanganui East. Photo / NZME

The Wakefield Street Bridge in Whanganui East will be closed to vehicles for at least 18 months.

It will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists but a safety review has determined the bridge is no longer safe for vehicles of any weight.

The detour is along Eastown Rd, Holyoake St and Tinirau St.

The council closed the bridge on January 15 to allow for a safety inspection due to damage observed in the timber bracing.

“We know this bridge is really important to our community and we will be preparing a business case for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency [NZTA] to advocate strongly for its replacement,” Whanganui District Council transportation manager Mark Allingham said.

Eighteen months ago the council reallocated funding for Wakefield Street Bridge to Erni’s Bridge on Kauarapaoa Rd.

“Both bridges were deteriorating rapidly but with Erni’s Bridge in a more critical location – providing the only access to Kauarapaoa Rd for residents and trucks transporting logs from forestry blocks – it was decided to build that one first," Allingham said.

Geotechnical and detailed design work for Wakefield Street Bridge has been completed and the council expected the bridge “to be the next cab off the rank for construction”.

However, funding from the council’s application to the National Land Transport Plan (NLTP) was “unexpectedly turned down, along with funding for numerous other Whanganui infrastructure projects including completion of the Mountains to Sea pathway”, Allingham said.

Because the bridge is no longer fit for vehicles, the council can now apply to an NZTA fund specifically for structures that have reached the end of their life.

A business case is being developed and will be submitted this month.

“The approval process on Waka Kotahi’s end can take some time,” Allingham said.

“If funding is confirmed, the council would receive 62% of the required funding and construction would take at least 18 months, taking into consideration the consents and co-ordination required with KiwiRail.”

Councillors can consider the council’s share of funding for this project as part of this year’s Annual Plan process.

“Alterations to the No 3 line intersection and Wakefield Rd are planned to further improve traffic flow in this area,” Allingham said.

Both the bridge and the detour route will be monitored throughout this time to ensure the system is working well, and the detour route will be adjusted as needed.

The bridge was constructed in 1954 using second-hand timber – sills, studs and beams – for the major components.

Concerns about the bridge were raised a year ago, with fears heavy vehicles crossing it could speed up its demise.

Allingham said costs for the project were still being calculated but previous cost estimates were around $2.4 million.

A traffic check in 2024 showed 1800 vehicles cross the bridge on an average weekday.