SH25/SH25A Thames-Coromandel

Find out more about Pepe Stream Bridge project

28 January 2026

An artist's impression of the new 2-lane bridge looking south from the town centre.

Bridge plans coming together

Planning for construction of the replacement Pepe Stream Bridge is ramping up and we will be back in Tairua for another public information day on Thursday 26 February.

This will be at the community hall, and people can call in any time between 2pm and 6pm.

Subject to consents being granted by the end of April, we expect to bring the start of construction from spring to July.

Fulton Hogan was awarded the contract in November last year and is working with WSP to finalise consents and design so they can start mid-year on the new 2-lane bridge.

Building a new bridge in a tight urban and coastal environment, while maintaining access for vehicles and walking and cycling will be challenging. Fulton Hogan’s plans and methodology will be a key part of the information day.

First up is a temporary pedestrian bridge will be built upstream of the current vehicle bridge. Services will be relocated on to this bridge, and then the existing pedestrian bridge will be removed.

Fulton Hogan will build one lane of new bridge, and shared path, on the east (seaward) side. Traffic will then be run over the new lane while the old bridge is dismantled, creating room to build the other half of the new bridge and a footpath.

Key dates ahead this year
• Public information day 26 February
• Consent conditions lodged by end of February
• Consents granted by end of April
• Detailed design finalised by end of June
• Early works (services etc) May-July
• Construction scheduled to start July
• Bridge completed by December 2027

Community group being set up

We want the community involved in the bridge replacement project and have invited key groups to the first Community Liaison Group (CLG) meeting next month.

We think bringing together key stakeholders and community representatives for regular meetings will enable us and our contractor Fulton Hogan to update the people on progress and allow for discussion of any issues or concerns.

CLG attendees are expected to report back to and bring forward any queries or issues from their memberships and communities. 

We understand the level of interest in this project and we will do our best to keep people informed and involved.

Another source will be these newsletters. If your friends, neighbours or family aren’t receiving these, they can sign up at the project website.

Works ahead on SH25 in February

State Highway 25 traffic will be detoured for 2 weeks in February while a section of highway is rebuilt at Mangatarata and repairs are made to the Waitakaruru River Bridge.

The work runs from Monday 9 February to Friday 20 February, with the detour in place between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

The detour involves SH2 and Pipiroa Road and will add about 8 minutes to travel times.

The road will reopen each evening and on the weekend of 14-15 February with speed restrictions in place.

Access for property owners and emergency services will be maintained at all times.

Contractors will be resurfacing a 1.7km section of highway east of the SH2/25 roundabout, while also undertaking work on the nearby Waitakaruru River bridge.

More information

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

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