Kia ora

I have opened this petition again because,  honestly, enough is enough. Broken promise, after broken promise has seen us all these years later and still no proper, reliable bridge.  If we get enough traction,  we can deliver this petition to Parliament. 

We can't wait until 2029 for a bridge, and we should not be ok sun wasting millions on repairs to the rickety old bridge we have now.  

Pekatahi Bridge, on State Highway 2 is on the main route through the Bay of Plenty. It carries much of our region's economy, over its rickety, single lane. The New Zealand Transport Authority wants to spend $ millions of dollar renovating the bridge (but not double-laning it) and then rebuild with two lanes, sometime in the future.

This is a problem for three reasons. Firstly, every time there is an issue with the bridge, lots of heavy transport is being is being diverted through residential areas of Whakatane, past over 1000 children going to school. Second, a one way bridge delays traffic and adds to business costs. Third, the Government is spending heaps of money improving roads in Tauranga at the other end of State Highway 2.

We need to be future thinking. Build the new bridge now and keep the old bridge working while that is happening. This new bridge will benefit the whole Eastern Bay community.

Please sign this petition and share with others. Our Eastern Bay of Plenty community needs to be heard.