State Highway 25A to open by end of March 2024

We went up to the blessing yesterday morning, it was very moving and very encouraging to see things get underway.

Mayor Len Salt - Thames Coromandel District Council

Work commencing on SH25A

Drilling to confirm the founding depth of the piles at the location of the bridge abutments began on 21 June under the jurisdiction of Waka Kotahi contractors who remained in charge of the site until the consortium of McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan, supported by Beca and Tonkin and Taylor; were given the keys following the blessing.

Waka Kotahi report that a bridge of this type would normally be expected to take 12 to 14 months to construct, but they are working with the consortia to accelerate delivery and get the route open in nine months’ time, by the end of March 2024.

Drainage water management is underway, with earthworks to build all-weather access tracks for heavy machinery the next job ahead. Over the last fortnight, project ecologists and the design and construction team have been visiting the site to confirm design assumptions and develop construction methodologies.

Waka Kotahi advise that they are doing everything possible to further accelerate construction, which will include contractors working extended hours at the work site and working seven days a week where possible. Up to 100 people will be working at the SH25A Taparahi site with additional labour dedicated to offsite works, such as prefabrication of bridge components.

Over the next two months a platform will be built to support the cranes required for the build.

Pile casings will be in the country by the end of July, with piling getting underway in August.