A major step forward for a vital local link
The Pepe Stream Bridge upgrade took a tangible step this week with NZTA confirming Fulton Hogan as the contractor to deliver Tairua’s long-discussed replacement bridge. WSP will continue as design partner, refining the final layout and completing resource consent work ahead of construction in 2026.
The current single lane structure, built in 1942, has carried more traffic than its designers ever imagined. It remains a familiar gateway for anyone travelling the eastern Coromandel, yet its narrow deck and aging materials have made replacement unavoidable. The well-worn pedestrian bridge beside it has also reached the end of its useful life.
For regular users of SH25, the bridge is more than a crossing. It marks the entry to Tairua’s harbour, the turn toward the marina, and the route thousands of boaties take every summer. Locals have been calling for a safer, more resilient structure for years, and the project has now gathered enough momentum to make it real.
Engagement numbers underline how much people care about this stretch of road. NZTA received more than 900 survey responses, with further feedback from drop-in sessions and online submissions. The community was clear about what mattered: safer walking access, better traffic flow, and a layout that keeps pace with the region’s growth.
Why the two-lane design won
Three bridge concepts went out for public consultation. The preferred option, a two lane bridge with an attached shared path, gathered broad support across iwi, community groups, and the wider public. The reasons were straightforward: improved safety, easier movement through town, and a path that encourages walking and cycling around the estuary.
Themes raised during consultation included:
• Safer access for walkers and wheelers
• Better swimming access beneath the bridge
• Calls for lower approach speeds
• Upgraded pedestrian facilities near Pepe Road
• Support for a roundabout and raised crossing at the SH25 intersection
The final design features two full traffic lanes, a shared coastal path on the seaward side, and a separate footpath overlooking the estuary. These will link into existing routes to the school, town, and waterfront, turning a once narrow pinch point into a more useable public space.
Construction timeline and what it means for Tairua
Construction is set to begin in spring 2026. NZTA expects traffic to be using the new bridge by December 2027, with finishing works continuing into 2028. Fulton Hogan and WSP will keep working alongside iwi partners and the Thames Coromandel District Council through the detailed design phase.
For the town, the benefits are direct and overdue:
• More reliable travel through a congested section of SH25
• Safer summer traffic and easier access for holidaymakers
• Improved routes for school children, runners, and cyclists
• Better ties to the harbour, marina, and boating facilities
The Coromandel’s tourism economy is still rebuilding, and SH25 continues to carry some of the region’s heaviest seasonal traffic. A modern bridge will help ease pressure during peak months and improve daily movement for locals who rely on the route year-round.
A small bridge with a big role
The crossing may be short, but its importance is outsized. It sits at the heart of Tairua’s daily rhythm, funnelling people into town, supporting local businesses, and carrying everything from commuter traffic to boat trailers bound for Pauanui, Sailors’ Grave, and the northern bays.
Once complete, the Pepe Stream Bridge upgrade will give Tairua a safer, more dependable link and open the door to better coastal access and a more walkable waterfront. It’s a modest structure on paper, yet one that will shape how the town moves for decades to come.
