National road freight association, Transporting New Zealand, has welcomed an announcement from Transport Minister, Chris Bishop, confirming SH50’s Fernhill Bridge is set to be strengthened.
The association says the deteriorating state of the 76-year old bridge over Ngaruroro River meant speed and weight limits were introduced in 2022. This limited access to vehicles of a maximum 31 tonnes over eight axles, at a maximum speed of 30km/h.
In August, Transporting New Zealand called attention to the costly inconvenience it says these limits have imposed. To avoid the bridge, heavy vehicles must take a 40km detour (pictured, below) to make deliveries. Some local transport operators are travelling this detour route six or more times a day, the association says.
A survey of six transport companies in the region found that the detour was costing them and their customers an estimated $2.36 million a year and producing an additional 500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
“This is a huge win for those in the Hawke’s Bay region who have been waiting for the bridge to be strengthened for three years now,” said Transporting New Zealand’s Membership Manager for the Lower North Island, Lindsay Calvi-Freeman.
“Transporting New Zealand are pleased that Minister Bishop, along with local MPs Katie Nimon and Catherine Wedd have pushed for this crucial freight corridor to be restored. The region produces a significant amount of primary products – including 60 per cent of the country’s apples and 12% of our beef.
“These strengthening works will therefore be essential to unlocking the region’s full economic potential.”
The Government’s announcement also confirmed that, once strengthened, Fernhill Bridge will be able to accommodate High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) and 50MAX configurations. The works are expected to begin in 2026 and take 11 months to complete.
