A $3.4 million, 1000-year waka/walkway bridge that will connect Tītīrangi/Kaiti Hill and the Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing site is to be installed five years after it was originally intended.
In a statement, Gisborne District Council director of community lifelines Tim Barry said contractor Currie Construction Ltd was ready for the waka’s arrival from Hawke’s Bay next week.
“Night-time road closures to the port will need to be in place and Kaiti Beach residents have been informed they will need to follow these as the cranes will need the full width of the road to lift the waka into place.”
Three night-time road closures are planned for the work:
• Monday, from 6pm to 5am to install the ramp and waka hull;
• Tuesday, from 6pm to 3am to install the prow and stern;
• Wednesday, from 6pm to 3am will be a contingency night if required.
“The installation times have some inbuilt flexibility to account for weather conditions like strong winds that would impact lifting.”
From today, the council will close the walkway through Kaiti Reserve to ensure public safety. However, this closure will not affect access to the Titirangi Lookout via Queens Dr and Titirangi Dr.
Once the waka was in place there would be further work to complete the project, Barry said.
“This includes installing safety railings, the staircase, lighting and constructing a new footpath. The project comprises the open-air pedestrian bridge, which will be 6.3 metres above Kaiti Beach Road.”
The project was a collaboration between Ngati Oneone and the council.
It has been in the pipeline for about six years as part of the Tairāwhiti Navigations Project and was initially planned for the Tuia 250 commemorations in 2019.
The project is externally funded through a Lotteries Grant of $3.1 million and a Trust Tairāwhiti grant of $343,000.
The project was originally to be delivered in 2019 but was delayed by interruptions that included Covid-19 and severe weather events.
Once installed, the open-air pedestrian bridge will offer views of Tūranganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay.