Ōpua to Paihia coastal track repairs underway

Work to repair a bridge and boardwalk that are part of a popular coastal walking track between Ōpua and Paihia is progressing well and is due to be completed before Christmas 2022.

The boardwalk and bridge span a tidal inlet and mangroves off State Highway 10 (near the entrance to the Paihia Top 10 Holiday Park). The structure was closed for safety reasons just before last Christmas after an engineer’s report confirmed that rot and marine worms had seriously undermined support piles.

The affected section of boardwalk has been removed and a prefabricated bridge structure built off-site. New bridge piles, bearers and braces have now been installed, as well as the bridge substructure and handrail posts.

The walkway had been due to reopen by the end of September but a delay in obtaining H6 treated timber pushed the finish date out to December.

The coastal track is the only pedestrian link between the Paihia and Ōpua communities. It also forms part of the national Te Araroa Trail that links Cape Reinga to Bluff and is very popular among local and visiting walkers.

Upgrades to the rest of the Ōpua-Paihia coastal trail will be undertaken over the next two years. 

 

Photo below - the affected section of boardwalk during demolition.