Project update

5 August 2025

The boom of the concrete pump cuts a tall shadow in the night during the Berry Bridge stitch works in June 2025. Up to 15,000 vehicles per day were detoured so the concrete bridge stitches could cure while remaining unaffected by vibrations.

August 2025 – Project Update

Tēnā koe and welcome to what will be our last winter-time construction update.

It’s been a busy few months with the announcement that Stage 2 of the SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku improvement project is moving forward to construction; and the significant temporary closure of SH16 to ‘stitch’ the new sections of Kumeū No.2 Bridge and Berry Bridge to their original structures using high strength concrete.  Thanks to the team’s expert planning we were able to complete the two bridges at the same time, minimising disruption for the community.  See the video below for a snapshot of the action at Berry Bridge.

A huge thank you to our neighbours for their understanding and patience as we progress this essential work. We are on track to complete Stage 1 in the first quarter of 2026!

SH16 Berry Bridge Stitch

Allan Wright, Fulton Hogan Environment and Safety Advisor monitors the excess water pumped from our trenches as it is treated to remove sediment prior to discharge.

Construction update; what’s news with the crews?

The nights have been cold, and we've pumped a lot of water out of our trenches so we could achieve key construction milestones.

Concrete kerbs and asphalt along with landscaping, mulching and 8,500 new plants have started to transform the busy 3.1km site into a glimpse of what SH16 will look like when works are completed.

We again want to thank the Rodney Local Board for their continued support. And to our road users – our crews and their families are so very grateful to you for continuing to make the site safer by keeping to the 60kph speed limit.

For more information on the project please see our webpage.  If you’d like to receive construction updates, please use our contact details below.

Here’s what we’ve achieved May to July 2025

At the Waimauku to Foster Road end of the project the team has been both underground and above ground:

• 780 metres of gas main diversions completed
• 1,900-tonne of structural asphalt paved

Meanwhile from Huapai to Matua Road we have completed:

• 890-tonne of new widening pavement (including asphalt surfacing) west of the Coopers Creek vineyard to Kumēu 2 Bridge
• combined service ducting west of Trigg Road to east of Matua Road
• Kumeū No.2 Bridge approaches ready for new pavement layers

And in the mix, we have culverts, retaining walls and bridges with the completion of:

• retaining wall 02
• Joyce Adams Place culvert extension
• concrete stitching and finishing works to both Berry Bridge and Kumeū No.2 Bridge

Busy road and busy site as the road is widened over the upgraded culvert east of Coopers Creek vineyard.

Looking ahead – what’s the focus for the next quarter: August to October 2025

• Completion of all new drainage works throughout the site.
• Installation of roadside safety barriers.
• 7,000–tonne of structural asphalt from Trigg Road, Huapai to Factory Road, Waimauku.
• Planting new trees and vegetation on the westbound side of the state highway.
• Complete modification of the southern side of Berry Bridge for installation of a new a 3-wave corrugated steel safety barrier that offers greater energy absorption for extra safety.

Keeping safe

While the road is being upgraded there are 3 things to remember to keep you safe when travelling through our site:

• Please avoid walking or cycling through the site while the road is narrower during construction.
• Please don’t get distracted by moving machinery – especially the diggers/cranes working on the roadside.
• Please drive carefully and always keep to the 60 km/h speed limit.

More information

We are keen to provide you with regular updates, so you always know what to expect. These can be via e-text direct to your phone or email to your inbox and can be stopped at any time.

Please contact Nettie Bird, Fulton Hogan Communications and Engagement Manager by emailing nettie.bird@fultonhogan.com or phoning 0800 287 667.

If you would like to see more construction photos or get more information on the SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku project, please visit nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh16-brigham-creek-and-waimauku or email us sh16safetyimprove@nzta.govt.nz