Pekatahi Bridge is open following last week’s maintenance with a warning for motorists to take care driving on the new surface.

The 325-metre one-lane bridge reopened on Thursday after crews spent six days completing a significant package of maintenance work to improve its surface.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi area manager Sandra King said the crew worked through a range of weather conditions and around the clock to complete the work ahead of the Matariki public holiday period.

They used small diggers to remove the diagonal timber wearing boards – but all nails and screws were removed by hand.

They also installed ramps at either end of the bridge where the deck is now lower than the approaches and repaired a damaged side rail.

As a result of the changes, drivers will notice the bridge feels different to travel across.

When crossing, people are asked to take care, keep to the temporary 30kmh speed limit and drive to the conditions, as the timber surface may be slippery when wet.

People riding motorcycles should be particularly alert to the change in surface conditions while becoming familiar with the new bridge surface.

NZTA is monitoring how the new surface performs over the next few weeks and will investigate options for additional friction treatment if required that could allow the speed limit to be raised.

Regular maintenance inspections will continue to help keep it safe and reliable until the replacement bridge is built.

Last week, NZTA awarded engineering consultancy Beca a contract to continue detailed design and consenting for a new two-lane replacement bridge.

The new bridge is planned to be built alongside the existing bridge, allowing traffic to continue using the current crossing during construction, meaning no long-term closures.

NZTA expects the project to be construction-ready by mid-2027 and well positioned for consideration funding approvals through the 2027-30 National Land Transport Programme. Subject to funding approval, construction is expected to take between 18 and 24 months.