Clearing flood debris and slash at the main bridge into Martinborough is expected to take two days, with South Wairarapa’s deputy mayor saying this highlights the town’s ongoing vulnerability.
By Emily Ireland of Local Democracy Reporting
The State Highway 53 Waihenga Bridge will be closed between 9am and 3pm on Thursday and Friday to allow crews with a long-reach digger to clear debris built up after heavy rain in late September.
Deputy Mayor Rob Taylor said he was concerned about the impact repeated planned and unplanned closures were having on Martinborough.
"It is concerning that we are seeing another two-day closure of Waihenga Bridge during working hours, particularly as this is the second planned closure in the space of two months," Taylor said.
The bridge had also closed several times this year when the river rose too high during severe weather events.
"Every closure demonstrates the vulnerability of this 114-year-old bridge and the disruption that occurs when the only direct connection into Martinborough is unavailable," Taylor said.
"The impacts are felt well beyond motorists – by businesses, farmers, freight operators, workers, visitors, and emergency services."
This was why South Wairarapa District Council had been working to develop a comprehensive business case for the replacement of the bridge, Taylor said.
"We are now close to completing that work.
"The case will set out not just the condition and risks associated with the existing bridge, but the economic and community consequences of losing this critical connection and the importance of providing a resilient long-term solution."
Replacement will take years to 'plan, fund and deliver'
The bridge’s replacement would need to be included in the regional land transport plan and would need the backing of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to progress.
NZTA previously said the bridge was expected to have a remaining lifespan of 20 to 30 years, but Taylor said the immediate closures were a reminder that "we cannot simply wait until the bridge reaches the end of its useful life before starting to address the problem".
"A replacement bridge is a major infrastructure project that will take years to plan, fund and deliver," he said.
"The decisions and groundwork need to begin well before the existing bridge becomes unserviceable."
In a statement about the upcoming closure, NZTA said removing flood debris and slash improved the river's water flow during bad weather events, helped protect the bridge from damage during future bad weather, and improved the resilience of a critical local transport link.
"It also reduces the risk of debris being dislodged and affecting local road bridges downstream."
NZTA said the work had been timed to minimise impact as much as possible, and was being done outside the morning and afternoon peak travel times.
"Drivers should be prepared for delays when travelling to and from Martinborough while the closures are in place."
NZTA said because the Waihenga Bridge was an important transport link, debris removal like this was done regularly – particularly after significant rainfall.
The work was done during daylight hours when visibility was better because of the risks to contractors during debris removal.
Working from the river was only possible if river conditions were suitable, or else it created health and safety risks.
With Waihenga Bridge closed, road users using SH53 could detour to and from Martinborough via Kahutara Rd and Lake Ferry Rd.
– LDR is local body journalism funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
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