- Hon Chris Bishop
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today that construction will begin next month on a new two-lane bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25), just north of Whiritoa, to replace the current single-lane Ramarama Stream Bridge.
"Carrying more than 2,500 vehicles per day, 13 percent of that heavy vehicles, the current single lane bridge is nearly a century old and has reached the end of its serviceable life. Replacing it with a modern two-lane bridge will ensure that SH25 remains safe and reliable for road users who rely on it every day," Mr Bishop says.
"Brian Perry Civil will deliver the new two-lane bridge, and construction is expected to begin next month. The project is expected to cost around $10 million and the new bridge will be built immediately east of the existing bridge, allowing traffic to continue using the current crossing to minimise disruption during construction.
"Traffic is expected to begin using at least one lane of the new bridge by August next year, with the remaining work expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and final landscaping completed in autumn 2028.
"The work to repair or upgrade nine priority bridges and culverts was given the green light in July 2024 as part of the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). Since then, a further five priority locations have been added, and NZTA is progressing design, consenting, and contracting so work can start.
"Replacement of the Ramarama Stream Bridge is also part of wider efforts to increase the resilience of state highways around the Coromandel Peninsula.
"This includes replacement of the SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua which began last month, a full deck replacement for the SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge north of Thames which was completed late last year, and replacement of the SH26 Onetai Stream Bridge north of Paeroa which was completed in early 2025.
"This work is further supported by Crown investment in the Budget 2026 resilience package, including replacement of SH26 Kirikiri Stream Bridge, upgrading the SH25/SH25A intersection, and wider SH25 corridor targeted resilience including retaining works, drainage upgrades, slope stabilisation and road protection works.
"Replacing the SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge will help improve resilience of the wider Coromandel state highway network and keep local communities, freight and emergency services moving. I look forward to work getting underway next month."
Notes to editor:
- NZTA assesses and prioritises bridge replacements nationally, with the programme reviewed through the National Land Transport Programme.
- Projects are prioritised based on the age and condition of each bridge and whether it is suitable for current traffic volumes.
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
- SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge, Coromandel
- 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.
