Urgent repairs required on Thomas Road Bridge

Thomas Road Bridge in Tuamarina will be closed for six days from Monday after crews uncovered significant hidden faults to the bridge’s abutments yesterday while undertaking testing.

The previously unseen damage means extensive underpinning repair work is required urgently, Marlborough Roads Area Manager Wayne Oldfield said.

“The repairs will require the bridge, situated nearly 400m west of the Neal Road turnoff, to be closed 24/7 while crews complete the work,” Mr Oldfield said.

He acknowledged the short notice for the closure.

“We would normally give residents and road users a minimum of two weeks’ notice prior to a closure. Unfortunately, in this case the scale of the damage requires us to act quickly to avoid further damage occurring,” he said.

“With favourable weather conditions forecast for next week, it also allows us to get the work completed prior to winter.”

Thomas Road Bridge will be closed to all traffic from 7am Monday 4 May and will reopen at 5pm Saturday 9 May 2026.

A local road detour will be in place while the bridge is closed and road users should follow all traffic management direction on site.