Failing Bridge Closes In Whanganui

Monday, 10 February 2025, 9:43 pm
Article: Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

Whanganui District Council has closed a bridge to vehicles on a busy rural road in Whanganui East because of safety concerns, with a significant number of wooden beams showing “considerable decay”.

A safety review has determined Wakefield Street Bridge is no longer safe for vehicles of any weight.

The bridge crosses a key railway corridor and links rural Okoia and Wanganui East.

A new bridge will take at least 18 months to build.

The council said it would seek funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to replace the bridge.

In the meantime, the bridge will be closed to vehicles for at least 18 months but remain open to pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

A detour for vehicles is in place along Eastown Rd, Holyoakes St and Tinirau St.

A recent traffic check showed 1800 vehicles cross the bridge on an average weekday.

The council closed the bridge on 15 January to allow for a safety inspection after damage was seen in the timber bracing.

Council transportation manager Mark Allingham said the council reallocated funding 18 months ago for Wakefield Street Bridge to Erni’s Bridge.

“Both bridges were deteriorating rapidly but with Erni’s Bridge in a more critical location – providing the only access to Kauarapaoa Road for residents and trucks transporting logs from forestry blocks – it was decided to build that one first.”

Allingham said the council completed geotechnical and detailed design work for Wakefield Street Bridge to get it to “shovel-ready project stage”.

“The council then intended for Wakefield Street Bridge to be the next cab off the rank for construction but the funding landscape changed and our 24/27 NLTP (National Land Transport Plan) application was unexpectedly turned down, along with funding for numerous other Whanganui infrastructure projects including completion of the Mountains to Sea pathway.”

Allingham said with Wakefield Street Bridge no longer fit for vehicles, the council could now apply to a Waka Kotahi fund specifically for structures that have reached the end of their life.

“We know this bridge is really important to our community and we will be preparing a business case for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to advocate strongly for its replacement.”

The business case would be submitted this month, Allingham said.

“The approval process on Waka Kotahi’s end can take some time. If funding is confirmed, the council would receive 62 percent of the required funding and construction would take at least 18 months, taking into consideration the consents and coordination required with KiwiRail.”

The council’s share of funding for a replacement bridge can be considered as part of this year’s Annual Plan process.

“Alterations to the Number 3 line intersection and Wakefield Road are planned to further improve traffic flow in this area,” Allingham said.

Both the bridge and the detour route will be monitored to ensure the system is working well and the detour route will be adjusted as needed, he said.

The bridge was built in 1954 using second-hand timber for the major components, including sills, studs and beams. Recent testing identified a significant number of beams with “considerable decay”.

A business case report to the council said a bridge of this type would normally have a material life of 50 years and regular testing over the last 20 years had confirmed it was at the end of its service life.

The report estimated the cost of replacement at around $3 million, split 60/40 between Waka Kotahi ($1.8m) and the council ($1.2m).

The bridge had a posted weight limit of 4500kg gross – light vehicles only – but recent traffic surveys showed larger vehicles using the bridge on a regular basis.

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