Care is needed when driving over the Matekerepu Bridge, next to the new roundabout on the intersection of Wainui Road and State Highway 2, until resealing work is completed.

The bridge, which is prone to flooding in severe weather events, is currently undergoing resurfacing and resealing works.

The resealing of the bridge is part of the safety upgrades on the state highway between Wainui Road and Ōpōtiki, which includes the completed Matekerepu roundabout and the two teardrop roundabouts currently under construction at the intersections of Waiōtahe Valley Back Road and Ōhiwa Beach Road.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said, as part of the bridge resurfacing design, the existing surface needed to be removed to enable survey works, allowing for accurate determination of the required design thickness.

Based on this, a levelling layer would be placed, followed by the final seal.

This process was necessary to achieve the appropriate tie-ins with the bridge approaches.

The next phase of works would be the placement of the new surfacing. This was dependent on asphalt supply, with the timing yet to be confirmed.