Tairua PEPE STREAM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT NEWS

The following information is provided via New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Information may be subject to change, and the most up to date project status information can be viewed on the  NZTA Waka Kotahi website. 

NZTA PEPE STREAM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: 24 September 2026

Piling continues for new Pepe Stream Bridge

NZTA reports that piling for the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement was always going to be the biggest challenge of the build.

The replacement of the single-lane bridge on SH25 in Tairua is now in full construction, with piling well underway to support the first new lane and shared path.

As part of all NZTA construction projects they carry out geotechnical investigations early to understand the underlying ground conditions and inform the design, but with complex sites there can still be unforeseen ground issues once work gets underway.

At Tairua the piling crew have encountered softer rock than expected in some of the areas which means they need to drive the piles deeper. This has put some pressure on the programme, and they are working hard to make up lost time.

The piling process involves building a working platform on shorter piles to provide access to install the permanent piles. There are 8 permanent piles being installed in the current stage, then 4 more next year after the old bridge is removed.

The permanent piles range between 12 metres at the abutments – the structures at the end of the bridge – and 26 metres at the piers which are the central supports. The pile casings come in 12-metre sections and are welded together to get the correct pile length.

The piles need to be driven deep into the seabed to provide a solid foundation for the bridge and ensure it can withstand traffic loads and local ground conditions. 

The pile casings are driven in with a vibrating hammer to the required depth. The inside of the casing is drilled out beyond the bottom of the casing to create a rock socket. A steel cage is inserted into the casing and concrete poured in to create a permanent concrete pile.

A second crane has recently arrived on site to assist with piling operations, which are expected to continue through to next month.

Once piling is complete, crews will begin constructing pile caps and bridge supports before large precast bridge beams are lifted into place. These beams will form the framework of the first half of the new bridge deck and shared path.

There will be more piling early next year, after the old bridge and the temporary footpath have been removed, making way for the second lane of the new bridge and a footpath to be built by late 2027.

Making room longer vehicles

A design tweak has been made for the new Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua to maintain pedestrian connections while accommodating larger vehicles travelling in and out of Pepe Road.

The replacement of the single-lane bridge is now in full construction.

The design team has moved the traffic island from just north of Pepe Road to just south, which will allow longer vehicles like 23-metre milk tankers to turn in and out of Pepe Road while keeping pedestrians separated from traffic.

Winning crane name winner

Tairua School pupils loved the idea of naming the big crane working on the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement, with 74 entries received in a “Name the Crane” competition run by contractor Fulton Hogan.

Two Tides - Te Arawhiti, a thoughtful suggestion from Blake Johnston, 12, was the winner. She got to see the name formally unveiled at a gathering last week.

“We had an amazing response from the kids who put a lot of thought and effort into this,” says Fulton Hogan senior project manager Dale McElhinney.

Tairua dogs lap up new bridge surface

Not everyone was happy with the raised mesh surface on the temporary footbridge erected over the stream while we replace the Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua.

The town’s dog population found it a challenge to cross on the mesh surface on their daily walks and some of their owners, tired of carrying their pets over the bridge, got in touch.

The project team and contractor Fulton Hogan came up with a solution by adding a solid walking strip to make the crossing easier for those with paws.

A surprise morning tea arrived at the site office shortly after, and the project team reportedly woofed it down.

Artists drawn together over old bridge

The Tairua Art Group is saying farewell to the old Pepe Stream Bridge with an art exhibition on Labour Weekend.

The group’s regular exhibition is on Saturday 24 October at St Francis House in Tairua’s main street, running from 9:30am to 2:30pm.

“Echoes of Pepe Bridge” will feature paintings, sketches and objects, with most for sale at reasonable prices.

What a great way to say goodbye to the old bridge.

NZTA PEPE STREAM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: 18 AUGUST 2026

Piling well underway for new Pepe Stream Bridge

Piling for the new State Highway 25 (SH25) Pepe Stream Bridge at Tairua has begun and will continue through September.

The first piles are being installed to support a staging platform needed for the main construction works. A new abutment has also been built on the town side of the bridge to support a 120-tonne crane.

Two-thirds of the main piling will be done in the weeks ahead, with the remaining piles placed once the old road bridge is demolished and out of the way next year.

Another crane will be positioned on the hall side of the bridge to support construction.

Meanwhile, timber from the old footbridge has been dispersed to several groups who were keen to repurpose it.

After some feedback from Tairua’s dog owners, the project team are adding a solid walking strip on the temporary footbridge as many of the town’s canines, especially those with smaller feet, are struggling with the mesh grating.

The first lane of the new bridge, along with a shared path, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Early next year, the old bridge and the temporary footpath will be demolished, making way for the second lane and a footpath to be built by late 2027.

Pepe team feeling welcome in Tairua

The project team have reported that the Pepe Stream Bridge contractors are making themselves at home in Tairua during the working week and feeling welcome in Tairua. 

The project has rented 6 local properties to accommodate staff, with more likely to be needed. The expectation is families will join workers at weekends when the weather improves.

The project supports buying local and using local suppliers where possible.

“Everyone has been very warm and welcoming to our crews and we have had great feedback from the community,” says Fulton Hogan project manager Dale McElhinney.

 Keeping an eye on marine mammals

The project team report that working in a marine environment brings a range of consent requirements, and an interesting one for the Pepe Stream Bridge project is for the protection of marine mammals.

Some of the project team have been trained to be observers during the piling stage, which must stop if mammals such as dolphins, seals or orcas are spotted within 300m of the bridge.

The observers need to be in place for 2 hours either side of high tide while piling is happening.

While no mammals have shown up at the site so far, 3 orcas were recently seen cruising around the harbour. 

COROMANDEL STATE HIGHWAY NETWORK UPDATE NZTA UPDATE: 17 JUNE 2026

Piling for Pepe project from mid-July

As the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement rolls into full construction piling will get underway for the new 2-lane bridge from mid-July to early September.

There will be noise and vibration during this piling work which will be carried out in 2 to 4-day periods. Piling will only be carried out during the day between 7am and 5pm Mondays to Saturdays.

Traffic flows over the bridge will not be disrupted.

The project team thank the Tairua community in advance for their patience.

Looking ahead at Pepe works

Service relocations including water, power and fibre continue and are the main focal point over the coming weeks as the project prepares for full construction to start in mid-July.

A temporary footpath will be built to connect to the temporary footbridge, and passers-by will also see crane pads taking shape leading up to the removal of the existing pedestrian bridge.

NZTA PEPE STREAM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: 24 APRIL 2026

Bridge Community Liaison Group update

Community involvement in the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement is important to the success of the project and the Community Liaison Group (CLG), who represent key Tairua community groups, met for the second time earlier this week.

The group is made up of members from the Tairua Business Association, Residents and Ratepayers, Community Board, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Tairua School, Walk Tairua, River Trail, Environmental Society and Pepe Road residents, along with the contractor Fulton Hogan and NZTA.

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

Pepe Stage 1 - What will you see on the ground?
Consents are expected to be granted for the project at the end of this month and enabling work will start in May, with full construction getting underway in mid-July.

Stage 1 of the project involves the construction of a temporary footbridge to the side of the current bridge and the relocation of services in the area.

Walking and vehicle access will be maintained across the bridge for the duration of the project but we will require some overnight closures for bridge piling work. More details below.

Once the temporary footbridge and relocation of services is complete, the project will move into full construction in mid-July.

This will include the establishment of cranes on site, the demolition of the old footbridge and building of the new southbound lane.

Once the new lane is in place, stage 2 will see the old bridge demolished, and the new northbound lane will be constructed.

The project is expected to be completed in late 2027.

Pepe night closures ahead for May piling

Piling for the temporary footbridge requires the road bridge to be closed overnight for 2 work weeks in May. But the road will be open to traffic on the hour up until midnight, then every 2 hours.

The piling work will cause some noise and vibration over this 2-week period.

The dates are Tuesday 12 May to Thursday 14 May and Monday to Thursday 18-21 May. Work hours: 7pm-6am.

The SH25 bridge will open on the hour for 5 minutes at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm then 12 midnight, 2am and 4am. Timings are task-dependent so may be between 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the hour. Emergency vehicle will have priority.

The project team thank you in advance for your patience and for any inconvenience this may cause.

Pepe: What’s happening at the Tairua Hall?

One of the challenges we face building the new Pepe Stream Bridge is working within the confined space. We’re hemmed in by the coastal estuary and cliffs and working in a built-up urban environment.

To get the job done with the least disruption, on time and safely, our contractors Fulton Hogan are using the community hall and car park for the construction base and “laydown” area for materials and machinery.

We acknowledge this is disruptive for users of the hall and we have worked with the Thames-Coromandel District Council and the Tairua Community Hall Society to enable its use.

Hall Society president Gary Healey told the Community Liaison Group meeting this week that all hall users have now been accommodated in alternative venues around Tairua ahead of the start of enabling works on Monday11 May.

The project team appreciate the flexibility and understanding that allows us to use this space which is critical to the project.

Using other venues across the area has provided economic benefits to those venues, and the project is making sure no group is out of pocket.

Info board goes up at Pepe site

As construction of the new bridge over Tairua’s Pepe Stream gets underway soon, passers-by can find out all the details on an information board in town, beside the walkway.