Prime Minister Chris Hipkins recently visited the site of the Hikuwai Bailey bridge, a vital transport link for Gisborne and nearby communities, as i
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins recently visited the site of the Hikuwai Bailey bridge, a vital transport link for Gisborne and nearby communities, as it nears completion. The original bridge was destroyed during Cyclone Gabrielle, and a temporary replacement has been in use while the new bridge is being assembled. The new bridge, a WWII kit-set design, is considered ideal for emergencies by Waka Kotahi. It is set to open in the middle of next week and is 82 meters long. During his visit, Prime Minister Hipkins expressed gratitude to the road workers for their efforts. However, some locals feel that more needs to be done for their communities. The Gisborne District Council has already spent $30 million on the recovery and rebuild efforts following the cyclone. The new Bailey bridge will have limitations in terms of weight capacity, with vehicles exceeding 50 tonnes still needing to use the bypass.
