Ōpua-Paihia track reopens for Christmas

A wooden boardwalk and bridge that forms part of a popular coastal walking track between Ōpua and Paihia has reopened in time for Christmas, although more work is required on the structure next year.

Reopening the boardwalk and bridge before the holiday break was looking doubtful earlier this month after several construction challenges threatened to again delay its completion. Challenges included discovering that more piles needed to be replaced than initially identified and losing almost two weeks of construction time to very wet weather conditions in November.

However, Steve Bowling Contracting were determined to make up for lost time. The company has completed installation of the new bridge and boardwalk and have installed temporary safety rails on the structure.

It will return to the site on 9 January to install permanent safety rails and to complete other elements of the job. That means the boardwalk and bridge will be closed on weekdays for three weeks from 9 January. It will be open weekends during that time.

Andy Finch, General Manager – Infrastructure and Asset Management has thanked contractors for extra efforts to make up for lost time and get the structure reopened for Christmas.

“Obviously, we all would have liked to see the job completed in full, but I appreciate that some delays were beyond their control. They understand how important this pedestrian link is to both locals and visitors, and I’m grateful that it will be open over the peak holiday period.”

He says the council will begin a staged upgrade to the entire length of the Ōpua-Paihia track in 2023. 

Image: The new bridge was lowered into place early in December.