The King Street bridge over the Wainui Te Whara Stream will be closed to all vehicles from 26 April to 6 June, to allow the installation of a larger culvert. Traffic diversions will be in place for the duration of the project, but the installation of a temporary footbridge on the western side of King Street means access will be maintained for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users.

Whakatāne District Council Infrastructure General Manager Tomasz Krawczyk says the culvert replacement is part of a major, $2.4 million flood protection project designed to increase the capacity of the stream channel by about 60 percent, significantly reducing the risk of the stream 'overtopping' and flooding the adjacent urban area during extreme weather events.

"The first phase of the project has already seen the installation of a larger culvert under Douglas Street and work has also commenced on the installation of sheet-piling walls along a 140-metre section downstream from the Valley Road bridge," Mr Krawczyk says. "Once those projects have been completed, we will deepen and re-grade the channel so that it can carry a flood flow of at least 32 cubic metres a second. A resource consent application for that second phase of the project will be lodged shortly."

Five privately-owned bridges across the stream will also be replaced under a separate contract and that work is expected to be completed by the end of June.

"King Street is a major arterial route between the southern part of the town and the Kopeopeo and downtown CBD areas, so this work will cause some inconvenience to motorists. However, we will have clearly marked detours in place via Douglas Street, Valley Road or Hinemoa Street and the overall impact on travel times should be relatively minor."

Nearby businesses and residents have been informed by a letter drop and electronic sign boards will be in place next week to warn motorists of the impending closure. Lighting will also be provided for the convenience of footbridge users.