Onaero Stream Bridge (Former 1924)

This single-lane former road bridge is now by-passed by a new bridge but is still able to be used by foot traffic from the Onaero Domain & camping ground to Onaero River Road.

The bridge was erected in 1924 by the contractor Mr Rowe. The old wooden bridge had been of concern for sometime, however in 1918 the Clifton County engineer, Mr Dowsett, stated that it was "too costly to build a ferro-concrete bridge". (Taranaki Daily News 2 November 1918 p.7)

Five years later, on 14 July 1923 (p.11), the Taranaki Daily News reported that Mr Rowe, who had just completed a substantial concrete bridge over the Mangamahoe Stream, was the successful tenderer for the Onaero Bridge.  

A start on the bridge had begun by August 1923 (Taranaki Daily News p.9) and by February 1924 it was reported that steady progress had been made. (Taranaki Daily News 2 February 1924) 

By March 1924 the bridge was practically complete (Taranaki Daily News 8 March 1924) and later in the year timber from the old bridge (some of which was used for repairs to the Uruti Bridge) was sold for £17 5s. (Taranaki Daily News 6 September 1924)