The Douglas Street bridge over the Wainui Te Whara Stream in Whakatāne will remain closed over Easter to ensure that predicted bad weather does not damage the new road surface. Detours will remain in place until the road reopens next week.

Douglas Street has been closed to through traffic since late January to allow the installation of a larger culvert – part of a major flood prevention project which, when completed, will increase the stream’s flow capacity by at least 60 percent.