Following Cyclone Gabrielle and previous storm events, Gisborne District Council is leading a long-term programme to repair and rebuild damaged bridges and large culverts. This work will help restore vital transport connections and strengthen the network against future storms.
Bridge damage and repairs
424 bridges across the district were assessed, repairs will continue beyond 2027, addressing:
- 8 destroyed bridges
- 96 requiring significant repairs
- 35 needing resilience improvements
- 32 damaged in earlier or later storms
Weight and speed limits are in place on vulnerable bridges for safety as repairs progress.
Read about the steady progress 2 years on, 14 February 2025, progress on cyclone-damaged bridges
Bridge location - track progress
View our interactive bridge map to check progress of work across our network from planning to completion.
Bridge repair status updates
The report provides updates on the progress of major and minor bridge repairs, locations and the status of various repair packages.
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8 destroyed bridges
Progress and status updates on the 8 bridges
Alternative access
Alternative access via Ruakaka Road. Restricted to 3.5T on wet days.
Progress summary for bridge
| Progress | Status |
|---|---|
| Site investigation | Completed |
| Optioneering | Completed |
| Economic evaluation | Completed |
| NZTA funding process | A replacement bridge is likely due to its economic justification |
| Prelim design | Completed |
| Resource consent | Completed |
| Tender awarded | Gisborne Hiabs |
| Construction - expected completion date | end of 2026 |
Alternative access
Alternative route via Tuakau and Ihungia roads.
Progress summary for bridge
| Progress | Status |
|---|---|
| Site investigation | Completed |
| Optioneering | Completed |
| Economic evaluation | Completed |
| NZTA funding process | A replacement bridge is likely due to its economic justification |
| Prelim design | Ongoing |
| Resource consent | Not started |
| Tender awarded - old bridge demolition | Ward Demolition |
| Detailed design | |
| Construction - expected completion date | Not likely until early 2027 |
Further economic assessment required
Following guidance from NZTA in September 2024, further economic assessment is required before a funding outcome can be given. Replacement of this bridge may not be economically viable as it serves a remote area.
Alternative access
A temporary box culvert has been installed to provide low level river crossing. Access is river level dependent.
| Progress | Status |
|---|---|
| Site investigation | Completed |
| Optioneering | Completed |
| Economic evaluation | Completed |
| NZTA funding process | Completed |
| Prelim design | Ongoing |
| Resource consent | Not started |
| Tender awarded for demolition | CR Taylor |
| Detailed design | |
| Construction - expected completion date |
Further economic assessment required
Further economic assessment is required before a funding outcome can be given by NZTA. Replacement of this bridge may not be economically viable as it serves a remote area.
Alternative access
A low level ford crossing is in place. Access is river level dependent.
| Progress | Status |
|---|---|
| Site investigation | Completed |
| Optioneering | Completed |
| Economic evaluation | Completed |
| NZTA funding process | Completed |
| Prelim design | Ongoing |
| Resource consent | |
| Procurement | |
| Detailed design | |
| Construction - expected completion date |
Project status - completed
The new Hollywood Bridge is a wide single-lane bailey bridge that spans the Hangaroa River and has reconnected a community.
It was initially a temporary solution. Following a comprehensive feasibility analysis, it's now the permanent solution.
The bailey bridge was designed and constructed to a height 2m above the height of the old bridge and offers improved flood and earthquake resilience compared to the previous bridge.
In September 2024, strengthening work was carried out on the bridge to extend its service life to 50 years.
While a new permanent bridge would offer some improvements such as lifting speed restrictions, extending the life of the bailey bridge is a cost-effective solution at this time.
Funding
The cost of $3.2 million was 100 percent funded by the $68m from NZTA's initial cyclone-damaged road network funding.
Project outcome
Replacement of this bridge did not meet NZTA's funding criteria.
Changes in land use have negated the need for the Hangaroa Bridge replacement. A new bridge is still under consideration as part of the Tiniroto Road realignment past the Hangaroa Bluffs.
Alternative access
A temporary engineered crossing has been installed for locals access only.
Old bridge demolition, tender awarded to Gisborne Hiabs.
Investigating alternative road access
Replacement of this bridge did not meet NZTA's funding criteria and won’t be considered for replacement now or in the future. However, NZTA has endorsed investigation into an alternative access road. We've started the investigation.
Alternative access
A low level ford crossing in place. Access is river level dependent.
| Progress | Status |
|---|---|
| Site investigation | Completed |
| Optioneering | Completed |
| Economic evaluation | Completed |
| NZTA funding process | Completed |
| Prelim design | Ongoing |
| Resource consent | |
| Procurement | |
| Detailed design | |
| Construction - expected completion date |
Did not meet funding criteria
Replacement of this bridge did not meet NZTA's funding criteria. It won’t be considered for replacement now or in the future.
Alternative access
A low level ford crossing is in place. The crossing is river level dependent.
| Progress | Status |
|---|---|
| Site investigation | Completed |
| Optioneering | Completed |
| Economic evaluation | Completed |
| NZTA funding process | Completed |
| Prelim design | Ongoing |
| Resource consent | |
| Tender awarded for demolition | Ward Demolition |
| Detailed design | |
| Construction - expected completion date |
Will all bridges be replaced?
Not necessarily, NZTA use a structured business case approach to determine the viability and justification for bridge construction projects. The business case looks at a range of factors to determine whether or not funding will be granted. If funding's not granted for a bridge replacement, there may be options that were identified at the optioneering stage with a reduced level of service, such as ford crossings that may be funded.
Project status descriptions
Each stage of the project is crucial to ensure a bridge is built or repaired safely, efficiently and to the required specifications.
Planning and design stage
- Site Inspection: This initial step involves assessing the bridge for damage and determining if a restriction needs to be put in place until the permanent repair is completed. This can involve restricting the bridge to light traffic only up to full closure. The assessment then captures the faults with the bridge and surrounding retaining walls. This also involves taking lots of photos of the site for analysis of past inspection.
- Optioneering: This phase is about evaluating the faults and producing different construction repair options, considering risk and safety aspects to choose the most suitable repair option that ensures maximum safety and structural integrity.
- Detailed Design: This stage involves turning the initial concept into a complete project design package. It includes site testing of materials and ground conditions. This information is then used to produce the construction drawings and tender documents.
Construction stage
- Tendering: The tendering process involves inviting contractors to bid on the repair, providing a price repair methodology and other key information.
- Construction: This phase covers the actual building or repair of a bridge. For a new build this will start from site preparation, foundation construction and beam placement to the completion of the structure.
Repairs can range from hand rail repair to replacing structural components of a bridge.
Completed
- Handover: the bridge can be opened for public use.
Construction is completed, the bridge is inspected any outstanding works are rectified and final inspections are carried out. Then the bridge along with all relevant documentation is formally handed over by the contractor to Council. - Completed: The completed bridge undergoes regular inspections and maintenance by Council.
Frequently asked questions
The map shows timeframes for bridges with major repairs.
For destroyed bridges - see our recovery webpage
Timeframes can change as it depends on funding, resource consent and weather conditions during the construction works phase.
We'll regularly update the map and information above as we move through the project phases.
Repair work is prioritised by the following criteria:
- Level of damage such as weight restriction, if the bridge is closed, or a narrowed approach
- Risk to bridge - if it's at risk of further damage including complete loss
- Importance of the network route
- Daily traffic numbers
- School bus route
Waikereru Bridge on Riverside Road
Ruakaka Bridge inland from Tiniroto
The bridge was originally built in 1972 and was significantly damaged by a debris surge. The repairs started in November 2024 and completed February 2025 at a cost of approx. $615k