Published on 20 January 2026
Six week closure down to three weeks, thanks to onsite work and traffic controls.
The planned closure period of the old Kakanui Bridge has been shrunk to just three weeks, thanks to the hard work of on-site teams and the public carefully following traffic controls at the worksite.
The new closure dates are from Monday 2 March 2026 to Wednesday 25 March 2026. Pedestrian, cyclists and emergency services will still be able to use the bridge during this shortened closure period.
Contractors had originally planned for a six-week closure beginning Wednesday 11 February 2026 to transfer power, water, sewage and fibreoptic services to the replacement bridge, and construct the new road connections and stormwater.
The Kakanui Bridge replacement is replacing the 126-year-old wooden Kakanui Bridge with a modern, 100-year, concrete bridge. The new bridge will have a wider pedestrian and cycle lane, increased weight tolerance, and has fewer piers in the Kakanui River and is raised up, to avoid closures due to slash buildup or flooding.
It is funded 57% by NZTA Waka Kotahi, and 43% by Waitaki District Council at a total cost of $11.06 million.
Thanks to Concrete Structures NZ Ltd, Whitestone Contracting Ltd. and the subcontractors working on this important project for our District.
ENDS
media@waitaki.govt.nz