📋 Tender Overview
The project team working on the replacement of Tairuas aging Pepe Stream Bridge will be back in town this month to update people on plans and timelines.
A public information drop-in session will be held at the Tairua Community Hall on Thursday 26 February and people can call in any time between 2pm and 6pm.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Adrian Jones, says that subject to consents being granted by the end of April, the start of construction can be moved from spring to July.
There will be at lot of activity around the State Highway 25 (SH25) site leading up to that.
Fulton Hogan was awarded the contract in November last year and is working with consultants WSP to finalise consents and design.
Building a new bridge in a tight urban and coastal environment, while maintaining access for vehicles and walking and cycling, will be challenging. Fulton Hogans plans and methodology will be a key part of the information day, says Mr Jones.
First up, a temporary pedestrian bridge will be built upstream of the current single-lane bridge. Services like water, sewerage and telecoms, will be relocated 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 downstream/seaward side of the existing bridge. 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.
A Community Liaison Group has been set up to bring NZTA, Fulton Hogan and representative groups together to discuss the project and any issues that may arise. Its first meeting was held this week.
The current bridge crosses a tidal stream on SH25 south of the Tairua town centre. The narrow 3-span bridge opened in 1943.
The project is part of a wider bridge programme to improve safety, efficiency and resilience on the state highway around the Coromandel Peninsula.
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
Subject to consents granted, construction scheduled to start July
Bridge completed by December 2027.
