Construction of the new Mata Bridge officially started yesterday with a karakia and sod-turning ceremony attended by community members, councillors, contractors and Council staff.

Mata Bridge is the second of up to five bridge rebuilds as part of Council’s $241.5m Government-funded recovery programme.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said the milestone marked an important step forward for both the local community and Council’s recovery team.

“I would like to acknowledge the Mata community and road users for their patience and support throughout this process,” she said.

“The loss of the bridge has had a significant impact on this community. Being able to cross the new bridge early next year will be a special and proud moment for everyone involved.”

The new 70-metre single lane bridge will be designed to withstand a cyclone stronger than Cyclone Gabrielle. It will allow floodwaters to flow over the deck, with safety rails engineered to detach if submerged, reducing structural pressure during major flood events. The construction contract has been awarded to United Civil.

With the rebuild of St Leger Bridge already well underway in Tiniroto, the start of construction at Mata Bridge will be followed by work on Grays Bridge in Kanakanaia in April. Pauariki and Burgess Bridges are pending final funding approval.

At $107m, the bridge rebuild and repair package is the largest component of Council’s recovery programme. Other major projects include slip and dropout repairs ($52.5m), the Tiniroto Bypass ($45m), and roadside drainage improvements supporting iwi communities ($37m).

More information about Council’s recovery programme is available on the Council website.

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