Mangaweka Bridge Re-opening
October 20, 2016
The Manawatu and Rangitikei District Councils advise that the bridge has re-opened on schedule at 8:00pm 20 October 2016.
The planned replacement of the deck sections 7m from each end has been completed well.
However, the weight restriction of 3,000 axle load and 6,000 kg gross mass will remain in place.
Furthermore, a speed restriction of 10 kph and "no stopping" will apply for all vehicles.
The reason for this is that during the period of repairs, workmen and engineers removed one section of deck in the middle of the bridge outside the repair area. There they observed additional deterioration in the supporting timbers. As this extra inspection was carried out in only one additional location outside the repair area, it is likely that other sections have deteriorated as well. The opinion of the engineers is that the bridge cannot dependably carry loads in excess of the above.