Come and watch Paeroa’s new Criterion Bridge Floodgates in action, as Regional council show off how the new floodgates on SH26 operate.
Waikato Regional Council is holding an open day on 11 August from 9am-11am, to demonstrate how the mechanical gates work, and talk about why they are so important to protect the community.
The floodgates, which fill the gap in the stopbank where State Highway 26 runs through, were installed in August 2018 and have not been used during a flood event. Built by Flood Control International in the United Kingdom, they were the biggest gates the company had ever built.
The gates slide along a rail across the road, near the Criterion Bridge. When they meet they are lowered about 30-40 millimetres for a perfect seal.
The new infrastructure will protect the town and its residents when the Ohinemuri River floods, keeping the water away from people, buildings, infrastructure and farmland.
For the open day event, State Highway 26 at the Criterion Bridge will be closed to all traffic except for emergency services. Residents are asked to come on foot if possible. There will be limited parking available. It is not anticipated there will be any disruption to cyclists riding this section of the Trail.
A road closure will also be in place overnight on 7-8 August from 8pm to 4am for the testing and maintenance of the new floodgates. Detours will be in place.
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