The Onetai Stream Bridge on State Highway 26 (SH26) north of Paeroa has been replaced with a wider, stronger bridge which will make this key route safer and more resilient.
The Onetai Stream Bridge is located north of Paeroa on SH26 which links the greater Waikato region with the Coromandel Peninsula and is the only through-route on the eastern side of the Waihou River between Paeroa and Kōpū.
The existing bridge was designed and constructed in 1976. Its 2025 replacement is wider and safer, improving the resilience and safety of this key route.
Although bridges in New Zealand are generally built with concrete, this bridge has a timber deck and bridge beams. Timber deck bridges are built successfully overseas, and we are now piloting this approach in New Zealand.
During a routine structural maintenance inspection, the bridge was identified as nearing the end of its life. In 2020 we started working through a business case looking at replacement options for the two-lane bridge.
As part of the business case, we carried out site investigations. We also spoke with our iwi partners, affected landowners and key stakeholders such as local council to help us refine the design options.
Although bridges in New Zealand are generally built with concrete, NZTA is piloting a more sustainable solution for the Onetai bridge with a timber deck bridge replacement. Timber deck bridges are built successfully overseas and we’re now piloting this approach in New Zealand.
As the old bridge and its approaches were narrow it could not be replaced in stages, so the road was closed for 4 weeks while it was demolished and the new bridge built.
Off-site prefabrication of the bridge deck and other key components allowed for rapid on-site construction.
The new bridge is 3m wider than the old one, meaning more lane space for drivers. Together with other safety features including a new type of side barrier, it is now safer for people driving or cycling along the highway.
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