Transit New Zealand
Wanganui Regional Office

MEDIA RELEASE
8July 2007

SH45 Kapikara Bridge re-opens after floods

The Kapikara Bridge on State Highway 45 near Oakura has re-opened to traffic.

The bridge, eight kilometers south of Oakura, re-opened just before 2pm Sunday. It had been closed since flash flooding hit the area about 3am Sunday morning.

Transit regional manager Errol Christiansen said engineering inspections today confirmed there was no structural damage to the bridge. However, the floodwaters had caused significant cracks in the road surface on the (north/south) approach to the bridge.

“To re-open the bridge we have removed one of the guardrails so the pavement could be widened and traffic diverted around the cracks. The highway is safe to use, with barriers and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit in place.”

Mr Christiansen said over the next few days Transit would gain a better idea of what repair work was required but winter weather conditions meant it could be several months before a permanent fix was possible.

ENDS

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