SH30 Kōpaki rail overbridge replacement

28 October 2022

New bridge taking shape

The replacement Kōpaki rail overbridge on State Highway 30 is taking shape, with much of the structure in place as the construction team look forward to the warmer weather helping progress on site. 

With the beams now being lifted into place, the next few months will see the bridge structure completed, with the deck in place by the end of the year. Work will also continue on the retaining walls, earthworks and pavements to build the new sections of SH30 to connect to the bridge.

Drivers are asked to please consider the safety of workers on and obey all temporary speeds when passing through the site.

Traffic coming off the bridge is controlled by a temporary roundabout

6T limit remains on Kōpaki rail overbridge

A minority of truck drivers are still using the existing Kōpaki rail overbridge, despite the maximum weight limit of 6 tonnes.

The ageing bridge is in an advanced state of deterioration and the weight limit is required to ensure that it can remain open to light vehicles until the new bridge is ready for traffic in 2023.

While most trucks are using the detour route between Maniatiti/Benneydale and Te Kuiti of Kōpaki Road and State Highway 4, a few are still using the old bridge, putting themselves, the rail line underneath and the bridge at risk.

Waka Kotahi is continuing to monitor the bridge and if further deterioration is observed the bridge will be closed, forcing all traffic to use the detour until the new bridge is opened.

With the bridge replacement project on the finishing stretch, Waka Kotahi is asking heavy vehicle drivers to be patient for a little while longer.

When complete the new bridge will be able to be used by all trucks, including high productivity motor vehicles (HPMVs).  

More information

For more information about the SH30 Kōpaki rail overbridge replacement email us on waikato.projects@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website: www.nzta.govt.nz/kopaki-bridge