Kakanui Bridge replacement ahead of schedule
Published on 08 December 2025
As the opening of the bridge edges closer, a brief closure is necessary to allow for the routing of services and cutting-in the road connection.
Ahead of schedule and under budget, the replacement of the 126-year-old timber Kakanui Bridge hit another milestone – the placing of the final beams.
Mayor Melanie Tavendale and Project Manager Mike Harrison were on-site to witness the placing of one of the final two beams on Thursday 27 November, meaning that all 42 of them are now in place and the next stages can begin.
Mayor Tavendale said: “This bridge replacement project is ahead of time and under budget, and you don’t get much better than that. The team have been working long hours, and on weekends – and seeing the final beams placed is massive, and I look forward to it opening next year. Thanks to the Kakanui community for their support, interest and cooperation while we deliver this important upgrade”
Mike Harrison, project manager, said: “126 years ago we were at the same stage, putting the last beams in place for the previous bridge. Today we’re celebrating a major milestone for this project, and we’re entering the final part of construction with the planned services and road-cut in starting in 2026”
To transfer the water, waste and fibre connections to the ducting on the replacement bridge, as well as cut-in the road on either side to join with the abutments, the existing Kakanui Bridge will need to be closed to vehicle traffic for a period of up to 6 weeks.
The closure is scheduled for Wednesday 11 February 2026 and will run until Wednesday 25 March 2026.
Pedestrians can continue to use the bridge, and emergency services will also have access to cross the bridge when necessary. Whitestone Contracting, who is doing this essential work, has already contacted Kakanui School, local shops and other community groups.
It will also be using traffic management – stop/go and signalling – where possible to limit the full closure. It is possible that work will be completed ahead of schedule.
Once the work is completed, the new bridge will be open to traffic – although a formal ceremony will take place later in 2026.
The old Kakanui Bridge was named the Victoria Bridge when it opened in 1899. It was the second bridge across the river at that location, built from imported Australian hardwood. It has fifteen cross-braced wooden piers in the river, which have often caused issues with slash buildup during heavy rain events.
The bridge has reached the end of its useful life, and a higher, concrete bridge has been installed to guard against climate change and flood events.
Its replacement, delivered by Concrete Structures NZ Ltd and funded through a Waitaki District Council partnership with NZTA, will be a single-lane bridge with six round concrete piers in the river. It will have a wider pedestrian and cycle path than the existing bridge, and a higher weight limit than the current bridge.
The existing bridge will be deconstructed later in 2026, with more details on that to be released once a contract for the work has been agreed.
Access During Closure
Access During Closure
- Emergency services have been fully integrated into planning to ensure response times are maintained.
- Walking and cycling access will be maintained — either across the existing bridge (as long as it remains structurally available) or the new bridge once safe to do so.
- Kakanui School and Pearsons Bus Services have been directly informed and are included in the operational planning.
- The Kakanui Store has received direct notifications and will continue to be updated.
Scope of works during closure period
To complete the bridge approaches safely and efficiently, the following work must be carried out:
- Excavation of the existing road down to 550 mm before constructing the new pavement layers.
- Raising the new road up to 1.5 m above the existing level on both approaches.
- Concrete stormwater channels constructed from the new bridge to new soak pits—these cross the existing road at significantly higher levels.
- New stormwater soak pits, one on each side of the road, each approximately 10 m long, 1.5 m wide, and up to 2.5 m deep, located adjacent to the existing pavement.
- New sewer and potable water pipelines installed along the downstream side of the new bridge and trenched through the new road approaches to connect to existing services.
- Telecommunications fibre reinstatement (Chorus and FX Networks), including new ducts, trenching through raised road levels, and installation of four fibre pits to support splicing and long-term maintenance.
- Network Waitaki power cables are being undergrounded to replace the current overhead crossing.
- Road surfacing and sealing of both bridge deck and approaches.
- Guardrail installation on both sides of the new bridge.
These activities occur both concurrently and consecutively to maintain quality, efficiency, and safety. The nature of the work leaves no safe or practical way to keep vehicular access open.
The picture below shows how the new road alignment is being built over the existing road, which means the old bridge cannot remain open to traffic during this phase
ENDS
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