Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
There are brighter days ahead for Tairua with progress on a new 2-lane bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25), which will cull queues of holiday traffic at the single-lane Pepe Stream Bridge.
The replacement bridge project is now in the procurement phase ahead of construction starting late next year says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
“The business case developed by NZTA in 2022 along with engagement with iwi and stakeholders has determined that the preferred option is a 2-lane bridge with an attached shared walking and cycling path to replace the single-lane bridge and a separate pedestrian bridge,” says Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.
Later this month a community information session will be held at Tairua to update the community and SH25 users on what’s ahead.
“With funding confirmed, there is a lot of work ahead to get the bridge designed and consented, but the countdown is on for construction to start by late 2026. All going well NZTA’s target is to have traffic on the new bridge by Christmas 2027.
“While NZTA engaged with the community as part of the Business Case development, we are keen to hear what’s important to people who live, work or holiday in the area,” Mr Coalter says.
The project team will be at the Tairua Community Hall on Wednesday 30 April, and people can call in any time between 3pm and 6pm.
NZTA will be seeking a design and build contract and expects to have a contractor in place later this year. Construction methodology is critical because SH25 needs to remain open during the build.
The current bridge crosses a tidal stream on SH25 south of the Tairua town centre.
The narrow 3-span Pepe Stream bridge as it is today. It opened in 1943.
The project is part of a wider bridge programme to improve safety, efficiency and resilience on the state highway around the peninsula.
Work will begin later this year at the Boundary Creek Bridge on the Thames Coast north of Te Mata. Design of a new 2-lane bridge to replace the single lane bridge Ramarama Stream Bridge on SH25, just north of Whiritoa, is also underway.
