12 February 2009 - The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is temporarily diverting heavy traffic off the new Tararu Stream Bridge, which is currently under construction just north of Thames on State Highway 25.

Diversions are now in place and 24 hour traffic control is on site. The alternate route for heavy vehicles is SH25a over the Kopu Hikuai Road and along SH25 with diversions at the north end of Thames and at Coromandel township.

NZTA Regional Director Harry Wilson says the diversion was put in place as a precautionary measure yesterday after a routine inspection identified some issues with heavy vehicles crossing the bridge.

Engineering teams in both New Zealand and Australia worked throughout the night to identify the cause of the potential problem and determine how to fix it.

Analysis has confirmed that the bridge is safe for vehicles up to 10 tonnes, but heavier vehicles will need to be diverted until remedial works are carried out. NZTA is currently in the process of finalising the programme for carrying out this work and expects to have made considerable progress by Monday.

Mr Wilson says, 'We recognise the diversion has caused a serious disruption for heavy vehicles and we are doing everything we can to reopen the road to them as soon as possible."