Cyclists and pedestrians will no longer be able to cross the Wairoa Bridge area from next week.

The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is closing the temporary crossing arrangement due to increasing traffic congestion on State Highway 2.

The temporary crossing near the SH2 Wairoa Bridge, between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, will close from Monday, November 9, leaving cyclists and pedestrians without access until repairs to the adjacent cycleway are completed, an NZTA statement said.

The closure follows storm damage to the embankment beside the SH2 Wairoa Bridge Cycleway earlier this year.

Permanent repairs are now underway, requiring the cycleway at embankment level to remain shut.

Wairoa Bridge. Photo / Zoe Blake

While the cycleway has been closed, NZTA has allowed cyclists and pedestrians to cross SH2 safely at road level through a temporary arrangement.

However, the agency said increasing traffic volumes and delays on the state highway mean the crossing can no longer remain in place.

Congestion on this stretch of SH2 could affect traffic travelling between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, and at times further north.

The cycleway will remain closed to cyclists and pedestrians until repairs are completed, which is expected by the end of November.

In the meantime, regular users will need to make alternative travel arrangements.