Penlink O Mahurangi project update

1 May 2026

Wēiti River Bridge taking shape

Work continues to progress on the Wēiti River Bridge, which is the largest of six bridges being built on the new highway.

The bridge features a long-span design, which reduces the number of piers in the river. This helps protect the riverbed and allows boats and other river users to continue to pass underneath.

It is designed to carry important utilities such as power and water, with space included for a future wastewater main. A shared walking and cycling path will also be provided, offering views across the surrounding environment.

Building the bridge is a complex job due to its size, ground conditions, terrain, and limited access at either end. Watch the video above to learn more about the bridge. The temporary support structure is in place, four piers, up to 40 metres high, have been completed, and one of two form travellers used to construct the bridge deck has been installed.

April highlights

With daylight saving ending earlier this month, the peak earthworks season is wrapping up. By the end of April, more than 90% of bulk earthworks across the project have been completed. 

Earthwork teams will continue over winter as weather allows, so earthmoving equipment will still be operating and visible on parts of the project.

At the future Whangaparāoa Road intersection, significant progress has been made, with more than 1,300 tonnes of asphalt laid. Delivering the intersection in stages allows construction traffic to be moved, making room for the next phase of work that will be visible to road users of the existing Whangaparāoa Road.

More progress this month

Bridge beams were installed in late March for the new bridge over East Coast Road, and barriers have now been added to the bridge at Link Road 1.

Vegetation clearance and site preparation have started on the eastern side of the Wēiti River, ahead of work on the bridge abutment.

A key concrete pour has been completed at Pier 2 of the Wēiti River Bridge, and the first section of the form traveller has been installed at Pier 1.

What’s coming up in May

Work will continue across the project corridor between State Highway 1 and Whangaparāoa Road throughout winter, as weather conditions allow.

In a number of areas, the pavements team will continue working to build the road layers and drainage will continue to be installed. 

A concrete pour for the deck of the East Coast Road bridge is planned for early May.

Ground stabilisation will begin for the eastern abutment of the Wēiti River Bridge, along with the first permanent deck pour using the form traveller. Precast panels will be installed for a 104 metre long retaining wall near the Whangaparāoa Road end of the project.

More information

For more information on the O Mahurangi project, contact us at omahurangi@nzta.govt.nz or by calling 0800 7365 465.

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/penlink.