Pepe Stream Bridge works are underway

Full construction will begin next week on the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement on State Highway 25 (SH25) in the Coromandel, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

Enabling works for the new bridge started in May 2026, including building a temporary footbridge and relocating services. From next week, the old footbridge will be demolished, making way for construction of the first lane of the new bridge, including a shared path.

Early next year, traffic will be switched onto that new lane, allowing the 83-year-old bridge to be demolished and the second lane of the new bridge to be built.

“The queues at the single-lane bridge over summer have become an unfortunate by-product of the region's popularity, and we know how important it is for the local tourism industry for Coromandel to be accessible,” Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Thank you to Hon Scott Simpson, Coromandel MP, for attending an event this morning on my behalf to mark the start of full construction of the new Pepe Stream Bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25) in Tairua. Minister Scott Simpson has advocated strongly for this bridge replacement.

“We recognise SH25 around the Coromandel is a lifeline for communities, and I’m delighted to also see the single-lane Ramarama Stream Bridge north of Whiritoa is next up for replacement, with work to start there later this year. There is also work underway to replace a bridge on SH27, just south of Patetonga.

“We’ve built on this support for roading in the region through investment in this year’s Budget, with $20 million allocated for Coromandel resilience work and up to $65 million for the replacement of Kirikiri Stream Bridge and nearby SH26/25A intersection.

“It’s all about improving the resilience of the state highway network and keeping it safe and reliable for our local communities, freight, businesses and emergency services. I look forward to the bridge being completed next year.”

Notes to editor:  

Bridges/culverts set to be replaced in the 2024-27 NLTP period: 

SH3 Mangapepeke No. 1 Culvert, Taranaki (new addition for 2024-27 period) 
SH3 Mangapepeke No. 2 Culvert, Taranaki 
SH43 Kururau Stream Water Drive, Whanganui 
SH82 Elephant Hill Bridge, South Canterbury 
SH82 Waihao North Bridge, South Canterbury 
SH6 Coal Creek Overbridge, West Coast 
SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge, Waikato 
SH27 Ohinekaua Bridge, Waikato  
SH36 Hauraki Stream Culvert, Bay of Plenty  

Bridge maintenance renewal works: 

SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge, Coromandel (new addition for 2024-27 period) 
SH35 Mangahauini No. 1 Bridge, Gisborne (new addition for 2024-27 period) 
SH38 Frasertown Bridge, Hawke’s Bay (new addition for 2024-27 period) 
SH50 Ngaruroro River Bridge, Hawke’s Bay (new addition for 2024-27 period) 

Other announcements recently made:

SH2 Pekatahi Bridge, Bay of Plenty. Design and pre-implementation work for a two-lane replacement is underway. Construction is expected to be within the 2027-30 NLTP once funding is approved and a contractor is appointed.

This programme excludes bridges being replaced due to weather event damage. ...