Repair timeline for Ōpua-Paihia walkway confirmed

Work to replace a wooden boardwalk and bridge that forms part of a busy coastal walkway between Ōpua and Paihia is due to begin in August.

The structure, which spans a tidal inlet and mangroves, was closed late last year after it was discovered that support piles had been seriously weakened by rot and marine worms. An engineer’s report confirmed the structure could collapse under weight.

Council CEO, Blair King, concedes that repairs to the popular link between Ōpua and Paihia have taken longer than the council indicated in February. However, a walkway specialist firm, Frame Group Ltd, has been engaged and is providing all designs and approvals for the new structure. It is anticipated that a contract for construction will be awarded early in July and that work will commence on 1 August. Construction is expected to take six weeks.

After work on the new boardwalk and bridge is completed, improvements to other parts of the Ōpua-Paihia track will commence. These are expected to continue through 2022 and 2023 and will include track realignments, and new handrails, boardwalks and steps. Improvements will be programmed to minimise disruption to events, such as next year’s Kiwi Walk & Run.