As at 12noon 15 October - Please note, the road is now open

Local commuters and visitors to the region are advised of an upcoming road closure affecting a key transport corridor linking Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki Districts.

Significant maintenance and repair is required on Tunanui Stream Bridge. The bridge, located between Burma Road and the Ōhiwa Oyster Farm on Wainui Road / Pacific Coast Highway, will see a two-day closure to a section of the road due to the extensive work involved.

Works will commence with manual traffic control (stop/go) in place on Friday 13 October between the hours of 9am and 3pm, as contractors ready the site for closure. Following this, the road will be closed from 5am, Saturday 14 October until 4pm, Sunday 15 October.

Team Leader Strategy and Asset Management, Ann-Elise Reynolds says residents will have access either end of Wainui Road to the bridge site, but there will be no access past the bridge during the closure.

“Those who live on Paparoa, Burke, Te Kooti, Stanley, McCoy, or Wainui Roads will need to use the alternative route toward Nukuhou to access State Highway 2. While through traffic to Ōpōtiki from Awakeri and Whakatāne will be detoured via SH2 through the Waimana Gorge.”

Ann-Elise adds, “We understand that road closures can cause inconvenience and disruption to daily routines, however, the long-term benefits will outweigh the temporary delays. We've planned the works to occur during the weekend to lessen the impacts on school and work commuters.”

“Crews will be working through the night to ensure every effort is made to complete the work promptly and reopen the road as soon as possible.”

Once the road is re-opened from 4pm, Sunday 15 October, the area around the bridge will be unsealed and a temporary speed restriction will be in place. From Monday 16 October, stop/go will be in place to allow for re-surfacing of this section of the road. Motorists are advised to expect delays and are asked to drive with caution.

This work is weather dependent. The alternate dates for closing are 5am, Saturday 28 October, reopening 4pm, Sunday 29 October, with surface works occurring on Monday 30 October. Any changes will be communicated via Council’s Facebook page and website.

“We’d also appreciate if people can share this information with their whānau and friends who may be travelling to the Eastern Bay of Plenty during this time.”

Signage will be in place in Whakatāne, Ōhope, Awakeri and along State Highway 2 advising of the closure and relevant detours.