SH25/SH25A Thames-Coromandel

28 July 2023

Activity ramps up on SH25A rebuild

Momentum is building at the summit of State Highway SH25A (SH25A) where work to build the bridge reconnecting Coromandel communities is well underway.

Over the past week a 100-tonne crane and 100-tonne piling rig have been brought up to the eastern side of the site. They are set up ready for the main bridge construction to begin next week at what will become the eastern abutment of the bridge.

The first step will be to wind in the seismic casings for the piles – the large tubular metal sleeve that provides unrestricted movement of the top portion of the pile under earthquake loading. These casings are being cut to length in New Zealand and progressively delivered to Kōpū, where they are being stored ready for use.

Test drilling to determine the depth of the piles has already been completed.

Elsewhere on site, work continues laying more drainage on the hill above and below the bridge site, and stabilising  access tracks with lime and cement so the machinery and rigs can be moved into position to drill the next set of piles.

Staff numbers on site are building as activity ramps up and specialist crews are brought onboard for specific tasks such as piling, reinforcing, stabilising, drainage.

Off-site, the prefabricated bridge beams being manufactured in Hawkes Bay by Eastbridge are taking shape in their factory. With 15 of these to be fabricated, the team there are working around the clock, seven days a week.

The 100-tonne piling rig delivered to site this week, to drive piles for the eastern bridge abutment

The first of 15 bridge beams being fabricated by teams working around the clock in Napier

Safer speeds introduced for State Highway 25

Temporary speed limit changes are being made to sections of State Highway 25 to make the road safer while State Highway 25A is closed.

Traffic patterns on the peninsula have changed as more people use SH25 to get to and from the east coast of the peninsula.

A speed review was conducted after residents and stakeholders raised safety concerns about the impact the increase in traffic was having on them, especially the high speeds, in areas where there are pedestrians and cyclists and near schools/kura and marae.

Concerns have also been raised about the higher risk of crashes and near misses on the narrow, windy sections of road due to the increased traffic.

New speeds of 50km/h, 60km/h and 80km/h will be implemented primarily through the many small communities and along the narrow and winding coastal sections between Thames and Coromandel.

On the east coast two new reduced speed zones are being introduced at Coroglen and Te Rerenga, and existing reduced speed zones will be lowered at Kōpū, Kūaotunu, Wharekaho and Whangamatā.

Additional edge marker posts, cats’ eyes, curve warning signs and road markings will also be installed to make the road safer, particularly at night.

We are making these changes to ensure speed limits fit the current use and conditions of the road. By making the road safer for everyone, we are minimising the risk and severity of crashes and consequent disruption to traffic, particularly along the narrow and windy sections of the road.

These changes will begin taking effect in early August as new signage is installed. The speed limit is effective from the day the sign is in the ground.

The temporary speed reductions will be removed once the bridge reconnecting SH25A is open.

Locals head home to work on SH25A rebuild

The SH25A rebuild project team has brought two young engineers back home to the Coromandel.

James Davies, pictured above left, has holidayed at Pauanui all his life and lived there while studying, and Taylor Auld, above right, is from Thames.

Both have joined the project as site engineers, and their local links mean they are both very aware of the urgency of the project.

“I have family and friends impacted by the road closureso know just how important this project is for local businesses and communities,” says James.

“Our roles are towards the bottom of the org-chart, but we are part of a highly experienced team focussed on building the bridge as quickly as possible,” says Taylor.

A former Thames High School student, Taylor studied engineering in Christchurch and worked for Fulton Hogan on several projects in the South Island over the past three years before being shoulder tapped to join the project team.

James finished his engineering degree at Auckland University last year and joined McConnell Dowell’s Graduate Programme in February, transferring to this project in June from Gisborne/Tairāwhiti.

Both James and Taylor will be living in Thames for the duration of the project. “If you see us around reach out and say hello,” says James.

More information

For more information on the SH25/SH25A Thames-Coromandel project, contact us at coromandel@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/thames-coromandel