SH25/SH25A Thames-Coromandel

18 December 2024

Safe Summer travels

As we wind down for the year, the cities empty out and the beaches fill up, so NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is encouraging people to plan ahead for safe summer road trips.

With high volumes of traffic expected over the holiday period in the Coromandel district, we’re asking people to drive to the conditions. Be patient and allow plenty of time and keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front so you can stop safely.

Everyone deserves to get to their destinations safely and have a happy holiday. For a smooth journey, we encourage road users to use Journey Planner before you set off to check for road conditions.

As in previous years, traffic management will be in place on the Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua on peak travel days across the holiday period.

Passing lanes on State Highway 2 between Pōkeno and the State Highway 25 Mangatarata roundabout will be closed eastbound on 27, 28 and 29 December and westbound on 3, 4 and 5 January 2025.

We’re keeping out of your way over summer

Our contractors will pause work to repair the remaining damaged sites along SH25 caused by the severe weather of early 2023 over the holiday break to minimise disruption to road users.

While the team working at the large underslip at Pumpkin Hill just north of Thames will take a well-deserved break, both traffic lanes will be open with a temporary speed limit in place through the worksite. Work at this site is expected to be completed by April.

Next year we expect to begin repairs at 3 further slip damage sites in February and March, including repairing the underslip between Kuaotunu and Wharekaha, which is currently reduced to a single lane.

It's a long way down - the slip site on SH25 Pumpkin Hill just north of Tairua is one of the largest repair jobs along this section of highway.

New bridge for SH26 - 4 week closure from mid-February

Work will begin in early 2025 to replace the Onetai Stream Bridge, on State Highway 26 (SH26) between Puriri and Hikutaia.

Given the narrow width of the bridge and its approaches, it cannot be replaced in stages, so the highway will need to be closed at the worksite for up to 4 weeks while the old bridge is demolished, and a new bridge deck is installed. The road closure is expected to start in mid-February.

SH26 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 new bridge will be wider and stronger making this key route more resilient and safer.

The existing bridge was built in 1976 and has reached the end of its economic life.

We recognise the closure will impact road users, particularly regular commuters along this stretch of highway. Contractors will work extended hours to get this work done as quickly as possible to minimise disruption.

As with the Taparahi bridge on SH25A key bridge components are being fabricated off-site, allowing for rapid on-site construction.

Although bridges for highways in New Zealand are generally built with concrete, this bridge will be built with a timber deck and bridge beams.

While the road is closed, the detour route will be via State Highway 2, Hauraki Road and State Highway 25 for northbound traffic and the reverse for southbound traffic.

Dates for the closure will be confirmed early in 2025.

For more information about the project visit: nzta.govt.nz/onetaibridge

Picture below:

Left - the existing  bridge is to be replaced with a wider, safer bridge.

Right - timber bridge beams being manufactured in Auckland.

More new bridges for Coromandel district

There are 3 SH25 bridges scheduled for replacement over the next 3 years.

Boundary Creek Bridge, just north of Te Mata on the Thames Coast is to have a new bridge deck installed later next year.

This bridge is currently reduced to a single lane due to its age and condition. The new bridge will see a return to two-way traffic and the reopening of the slow vehicle bay just to the south of Boundary Creek.

Our team is also progressing plans for the new two-lane bridge which will replace the existing single lane bridge across Pepe Stream in Tairua.

And further south the single lane Ramarama Stream Bridge just north of Whiritoa will also be replaced with a 2-lane bridge.