Enabling works at the Tutaekuri River Bridge site are now underway. The work involves tree felling and clearing existing vegetation and topsoil, then using safe repurposed Cyclone Gabrielle silt to raise the level of the land and create a wide, flat surface – like we completed at the Kennedy Road overpass site.
The silt will be compacted and then left to settle. This process speeds up the natural process of compaction, allowing the soil to settle and the sediment to consolidate ahead of further construction works. The settlement process will take around 12 months.
Ground improvements are required at the site to help prepare the land for four-laning, and for taking the permanent weight of the road. This will allow us to build the approaches to the new bridge.
The works will be staged – works will start on the southern side and then move to the northern site of the Tutaekuri River Bridge.
The design of the new two-lane Tutaekuri River Bridge will extend into early 2026 and we expect construction to begin in mid-2026 (subject to approvals and funding). The new bridge will take the northbound traffic while the existing bridge will take the southbound traffic.
Works will be undertaken off the expressway, on land that is already designated for roading construction. A temporary 70km/h speed limit will be in place for safety reasons past the work site for the duration of the works. The work is expected to take three months.
This map shows the enabling work sites north and south of the Tutaekuri River Bridge, truck access and exits and the minor realignment of the Rotary Pathway west of the bridge.
