The design is similar to the elaborate and expensive one installed on the Waikanae River bridge last year but isn’t the same. It seems like it has taken 7½ months, based on this article which announced the start of work in August last year. Well, the Otaki River is wider so this bridge is longer, but even so, 7 months seems quite excessive. It also cost a lot more: $6 million according to an Official Information response!
Unlike the Waikanae one, this Otaki clip-on was paid for by the NZTA. That may be because despite the ‘Ewy’ not far to the east, the NZTA are still treating the bridge as part of SH1?


