One Lane Bridges

Our committee has been invited to take part in some of the community discussions around the one lane bridges on the Peninsula, primarily focused on the Tairua bridges and driven by the Tairua Residents and Ratepayers Association. There is a wealth of information coming through, including an extensive and revealing report from consultants Beca, obtained under the Official Information Act, which gives a cost estimate for replacing the 80 year old bridge at around $1.64 million. Put that in context with the money budgeted for water meters ($4.8 million?), and it seems like a bargain.

We think it’s likely that this will happen within the next 2-3 years (LTSA responsibility and cost, not TCDC). The current state of the bridge raises some serious safety questions, however, any discussion of the Pepe Stream bridge must also include the other two one-lane bridges either side of Tairua. We are told that most of the complaints about the traffic holdups at peak times come from Whitianga bach-owners, so it looks like we have skin in the game on this subject. More to follow.