In February 2011, it was targeted by vandals who sprayed it with graffiti. Only a fortnight later, the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake struck, damaging the arch. Permanent repair and earthquake strengthening was estimated to cost over NZ$2m. Christchurch City Council initially considered placing a temporary steel structure around the arch, but, at NZ$430,000, have since dismissed this idea as being too expensive. The Returned Services' Association expressed dismay at the decision to not go ahead with the temporary work, citing fears of losing the heritage structure altogether in another strong aftershock, in just the same way as happened to the Lyttelton Timeball Station in the June aftershock. The Bridge of Remembrance repairs earthquake strengthening started in May 2013, with hopes of repairs being partially completed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I in August 2014 and being fully completed in time to commemorate Anzac Day 2015. Those timelines were not met and whilst structural repairs were completed by December 2015 at a cost of NZ$6.7m, the Bridge of Remembrance re-opened to the public and rededicated on Anzac Day, Monday 25 April 2016.