The gathered community walks across the freshly completed Kōpaki rail overbridge on Friday following a pōwhiri. Photo: Downer
People travelling SH30 between Benneydale and Te Kūiti no longer have to negotiate chicanes, wait for their turn on Kōpaki bridge, or worry about it collapsing from under them – and trucks don’t need to detour.
The upgraded bridge was some years in the making and opened on Friday following Covid and weather-related delays, though still five months ahead of the latest estimated completion date.
The occasion was marked by a pōwhiri by mana whenua Rereahu, with Waka Kotahi, political dignitaries, contractors and local council members in attendance.
Vehicles of all weights can now use Kōpaki bridge. This week there has been a speed restriction in place of 30km/h and round the clock traffic management to ensure the chipseal sets properly.
Waka Kotahi Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional manager of infrastructure delivery Jo Wilton said it was a credit to the project team, contractors and the community that they worked together to get the project done.
“It’s always exciting to open a project – for the project team, for the community, for everyone.
“It just reflects the effort that everyone has put in to build it. And it looks amazing.”
Building the new Kōpaki bridge was not without its difficulties, with heavy vehicles notoriously flouting six tonne weight restrictions on the old route, causing Waka Kotahi to close the old bridge entirely, then backtrack the decision after outrage from the Benneydale community (King Country News, December 8, 2022).
Jo said when the travellers, namely heavy vehicles, ignored speed restrictions on the bridge it created safety issues for the project team and the public.
“It put the asset – which was already at the end of its life – at the risk of collapsing, which would then make the community have to detour.”
With the bridge taking traffic over the main trunk line, its collapse would also impact the railways.
Work to demolish the old dilapidated and unsafe bridge started on Monday.
The ribbon was cut on Kōpaki bridge by Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe, who is Speaker of the House and MP for Māori electorate Te Tai Hauāuru, and Waitomo mayor John Robertson.
Adrian took the opportunity to acknowledge many key groups and people who worked together on completing the project, including everyone present in high vis vests, mana whenua Rereahu, and Downer, BBO and Inframax.
“I just want to acknowledge the work you put into making this,” he said.
“All the landowners around here, the community, the people who use this road; this will make a difference to their lives.
“It has been really difficult I understand having detours and some weight restrictions on the current bridge. I just want to acknowledge the patience that everyone has expressed in waiting for this day.
“I hope it brings a better way forward for the community that helps the local economy as well.”
John noted the importance of the junction for the community.
With the threat of a total bridge closure, the community faced an extra 12 minutes of travel along Kōpaki Rd, SH4 and SH3 – roads which regular commuters called unsafe with numerous slips and dropouts.
At the time, Pukerimu Rd was completely closed to traffic because of damage caused by weather.
