We are planning to replace the single-lane Pepe Stream Bridge on SH25 in Tairua with a new two-lane bridge.
Funding has been approved and the replacement bridge project is now in the procurement phase.
A contractor is expected to be signed up by October 2025, with design and consents secured ahead of construction starting in spring 2026. The build is likely to take around 12 months, finishing by Christmas 2027.
A business case was developed by NZTA in 2022 to consider and test the options for a bridge replacement. Engagement with iwi and stakeholders led to identifying the preferred option – a two-lane bridge with an attached shared walking and cycling path. This was known as option one (as presented during our community engagement session).
The bridge crosses a narrow tidal estuary on SH 25 south of Tairua’s commercial centre. The narrow three-span bridge was constructed in 1942 and has reached the end of its design life.
The project team will continue to work with Iwi, Thames-Coromandel District Council and the Tairua community throughout this process, particularly as we look ahead to impacts of construction.
CloseYes. We have an active bridge maintenance, strengthening and replacement programme which gives us a good picture of the state of all bridges. At all times, safety is our No 1 priority and we carry out regular inspections to ensure that all state highway bridges in New Zealand remain safe at all times.
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