The bridge that collapsed near Ōpiki was over 100 years old. Photo: Horizons Regional Council
Horizon's Regional Council says it is working with Historic Places Manawatū Horowhenua to determine the future of an historic bridge which collapsed into Manawatū awa last week.
The bridge near Ōpiki was over a hundred years old and originally constructed to service three flax mills operating in the area.
Group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard said the council was notified late last week that cables from the bridge had fallen into the river.
"We notified the public, including local river user groups and Horowhenua District Council, of the hazard. We are working with Historic Places Manawatū Horowhenua to clear the hazard and recommend river users avoid the area in the meantime," Roygard said.
Website Envirohistory New Zealand said the bridge was built in 1918 to facilitate transport of people and materials from the mills which stood at the centre of a thriving flax industry between 1902 and 1921.
According to the website, the bridge was operated as a private toll bridge by local farmer Hugh Akers who assumed responsibility for the bridge after a combination of economic factors and a disease afflicting local flax crops ended milling in the area.
The steel and timber deck structure of the bridge was finally removed in 1969 after the government completed construction of a larger concrete bridge south of the old structure.