burnside bridge replacement

Farmer Dave Ellison is fighting for a better solution for Burnside Bridge, which faces removal. A Central Hawke’s Bay farmer was left gobsmacked when his council told him it was unviable to replace a damaged rural bridge over his local river because it would cost up to $16 million. The Burnside Bridge crosses the Makaretu River near the small community of Takapau. The one-lane bridge was smashed by floodwaters and debris during Cyclone Gabrielle and was closed due to structural damage to the piers and two adjoining bridge spans. More than three years on, Dave Ellison isn’t prepared to give up