A vital Bay of Plenty transport link will close overnight for three consecutive nights next week.

The Pekatahi Bridge near Tāneatua will be closed to all traffic for three nights from Sunday, August 23, with closures in place from 8pm until 6am each night, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said in a media release.

The work involves tightening clamps beneath the bridge deck to help maintain the structure and reduce wear on its timber beams.

Bay of Plenty area manager Sandra King said crews have already tightened clamps that could be safely accessed from land.

The next stage will focus on clamps located above the river, using a specialist bridge maintenance machine.

“We know any closure of Pekatahi Bridge is disruptive, and we plan these works carefully to reduce impacts as much as we can,” King said.

“This work is about keeping the existing one-lane bridge safe and serviceable while planning and design continues for the new two-lane replacement bridge.

“Some of the bridge deck clamps are above the river, so crews need specialist equipment and a clear work area to reach them safely. Closing the bridge overnight is the safest and most practical way to complete this work.”

During the closures, traffic will be diverted via Tāneatua Rd, Valley Rd, Arawa Rd, Hinemoa St and State Highway 30 through Awakeri.

A map showing the road closure and detour route. Image / NZTA

Road users are being advised to allow up to 20 minutes of additional travel time.

Whakatāne District Council will also be completing culvert works on Tāneatua Rd during the same period, although NZTA said the work will not affect vehicles using the detour route.