Update 1 December 2014: Due to heavy rain forecasts, the planned works on the Pekatahi Bridge will be delayed until Tuesday, 2 December. A road closure and detour will be in effect on that date instead of 1 December as initially planned.

The section of State Highway 2 between Awakeri and Tāneatua (White Pine Bush Road) will be closed overnight on Monday, 1 December while maintenance is undertaken on the Pekatahi Bridge.

That section of SH2 will be closed from 7 pm Monday evening to 6 am Tuesday morning to allow bridge deck timber baulks to be replaced. During the closure, a signed detour route will be in place through Whakatāne, via SH30 and Taneatua Road.

The works are weather dependent, and there is a chance they may need to continue for a second night. Due to the nature of repairs, the bridge will be closed to all traffic, including emergency services.

The bridge repairs will see increased traffic through Arawa Road and Hinemoa Street in Whakatāne during the closure period. Approximately 300 additional traffic movements can be expected, up to 40 percent of which will be heavy vehicles.