This single-lane reinforced concrete bridge was erected during 1911 for the Taranaki County Council on the main road south between New Plymouth and Inglewood.
Tenders for construction of the bridge were initially advertised during January 1911 by engineers Orbell & Mackay, however, as only one tender, being very much in excess of the engineer's estimate, was received, it was decided to call for fresh tenders the following month.
The bridge appears complete by late-August 1911, with County Council Foreman Chelling reporting at the September 1911 County Council meeting that he had, with the permission of Orbell, opened the new Mangaoraka Bridge to traffic. The old timber bridge, located adjacent, was subsequently dismantled.
This bridge was decommissioned during the 1970s-80s following the completion of the present two-lane SH3 bridge.
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