Traffic will be diverted through Takamoa Theological College in a bid to ease congestion caused by the Empire Bridge construction.

A press release from Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) said access will be available from 7.30am to 8.30am from Monday to Friday.

“This is in response to congestion experienced along the Empire Bridge during peak hour traffic inbound,” ICI said.

Traffic flow will be managed by the college and Infrastructure Cook Islands.

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said police had not had any problems with drivers using the temporary bridge.

Work on the Empire Bridge is currently on pause while ICI waits for the Cook Islands National Environment Service to approve the rest of the project.

Early this month, Kiri Ataera, the acting director of planning and projects at ICI, said the completion of the temporary bypass bridge – that had special approval from the Environment Service to be built – was planned to be finished at the same time the rest of the project was approved.

But the construction of the temporary bridge was completed faster than the approval process for the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Environmental Impact Assessment is currently going through public consultation.

Once the Environmental Impact Assessment is approved work on the Empire Bridge will continue.