Construction contract awarded for permanent SH39 Mangati Bridge

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today that a construction contract has been awarded by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to Oxcon for the two-lane replacement of the Mangati Bridge on State Highway 39 (SH39) between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia. 

“NZTA has worked at pace since a single-lane Acrow (Bailey-style) temporary bridge was installed in March to reconnect the Pirongia community following heavy rain and flash flooding which damaged the original bridge beyond repair,” Mr Bishop says. 

“Construction for the permanent replacement is expected to start on site before the end of this month and it will be open to traffic by early 2027,” Mr Bishop says. 

“The new bridge will be built higher and stronger, improving the corridor’s resilience to flooding and extreme weather events. 

“SH39 is a vital route for traffic travelling through the western Waikato, and an important link between Taranaki and Auckland. That’s why it’s a priority to restore the road to two lanes of traffic by early next year. 

“The new Mangati Bridge will be constructed in the same location as the original bridge, meaning there will be minimal impact to SH39 traffic which will continue to use the temporary bridge until the permanent one opens.  

“I look forward to work getting underway on a new two-lane bridge that will provide safer, more reliable access for this community,” says Mr Bishop

Notes to editor: 

The total project cost is expected to be $12.5 million, funded from NZTA’s emergency works budget. This figure includes the cost of the new bridge ($8 million), removing the damaged bridge and installing, maintaining and then removing the temporary Acrow bridge. ...