Today I have written to the NZTA regarding the state of Coulter bridge crossing the Waihou River into Te Aroha.  Please sign and share this petition to back up my request.

 Coulter Bridge is an eyesore monument to the incompetence of NZTA. It also is a real danger as far as the footpath is concerned. The concrete has worn away exposing very uneven surfaces and the expansion joints are also a significant trip hazard for our more senior citizens.

The paint is well past its use-by date and there is some small amount of reinforcing now exposed allowing accelerated corrosion to occur. Allowing the paint finish to deteriorate to the extent it has done cannot be good for the structure, the more moisture that ingresses into the bridge the more corrosion and damage to the concrete integrity can occur. 

It is disgraceful allowing an expensive asset to deteriorate like this. As a gateway into Te Aroha, it paints an image that is not helpful in the promotion of the town as a tourist destination. The bridge is some 92 years old and right now it looks like it is twice that age. NZTA needs to pull finger and get on with repairing the footpath and maintaining the bridge rather than letting it deteriorate like it is.  They need to replace the period lights as well.