The Thames-Coromandel District Council is inviting the community to the official opening of the Manaia Road Causeway Bridge next week.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony takes place at the council reserve at 89 Manaia Road beside the newly extended bridge on Friday, December 11, from 11am.

Manaia Road Causeway Bridge will be officially opened on Friday, December 11. Photo: File

Tairua-Pauanui area manager Garry Towler says the bridge will be closed temporarily for about 10 minutes while the ribbon cutting takes place.

The ceremony will also feature short speeches from iwi, community, plus district and regional council representatives.

'Over the past eight weeks council's contractor HEB Construction has been constructing a 16m bridge extension at the Manaia Rd Causeway,” explains Garry.

'This work is a critical component of the overall flood mitigation project as it will reduce flood levels upstream of the causeway during high rainfall events by allowing floodwater to drain more easily.”

Over the past 14 months a working party consisting of community representatives, elected members, plus district and regional council staff helped determine the most effective solution to reduce the impact of flooding in this area and to improve the natural environment.

The Thames-Coromandel council has been responsible for the bridge extension while the Waikato Regional Council is taking care of floodway improvement works like stop banks, weir, floodgate, stream diversion and floodway.

This first phase of stopbank works, including sediment control and erosion protection structures, will be completed prior to Christmas with the second phase commencing after the peak summer period in mid-February.

Tairua-Pauanui Community Board Chair Bob Renton would also like to thank the community for its patience while the work has been carried out.

'As well as [to] all those involved in actually getting this project towards completion,” adds Bob.

The bridge is expected to be open by Friday, December 4, but the official opening ceremony will take place on the following Friday, December 11.

For more information about the Manaia Causeway and Graham's Creek Flood Works, including history and full construction project details visit: www.tcdc.govt.nz/grahams-creek