A letter in the Bay of Plenty Times, April 1873, questioned why the delay in the construction of a bridge. The road to Katikati was well advanced and bridge across the Wairoa River was essential.

The first cargo of timber arrived and Mr Brain the contractor commenced work in June 1874 and by October 1877 it was finished at a cost of £1500. The bridge immediately gave much needed access for residents but the wood started cracking and concern was felt that protection by paint or tar from the weather was needed. Ratepayers objected to paying the £5 needed to carry out gas-tarring - they felt it was a Government responsibility as the bridge formed part of the roading network ......so it continued cracking.

By February 1908, the 34 year old bridge was in a dangerous state and closure was thratened. Recommendations estimated that 56,000 ft of timber would be needed to repair it and during dismantling, it was likely further decay would be found. It was decided a new structure 210 ft in length (the original old wooden bridge was 440 ft) be built. Again local ratepayers objected to paying. With no railway link to the east coast yet in place, they considered the Wairoa bridge replacement was a national issue rather than a local one. They argued that for thirty years county residents had made roads and bridges so it was decided to appeal to Sir Joseph Ward when he visited Tauranga. This had a successful outcome and a government grant of £1250 was allocated for a new bridge.

Tenders were called in 1911 for plans and specifications for a bridge in ferro concrete.
The County Council cautioned the public in 1913 that the existing bridge structure was very dangerous and loads were limited to below 30 cwt when crossing.