Construction taking place on the piers to support the SH2 Bailey bridge. Photo: Supplied / Waka Kotahi
The completion of a bridge that would have reconnected some cut-off Hawke's Bay communities has been delayed by a month.
Waka Kotahi is building a simple new bridge across the Waikari River on State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa.
The old one was destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle.
It was due to be opened at the end of April but it is now likely to be the end of May, which will be a blow to communities cut off from the main supply town of Wairoa.
"Restoring access to the communities living alongside this section of SH2 has been, and continues to be, one of our most significant priorities in this recovery," said Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Jaclyn Hankin in a statement.
"We know any delays are really disappointing for these communities - we're disappointed too - but we also know they understand what we've been up against and that they want the work done right."
The agency is blaming supply problems and poor weather.