24 Jun 2026
4 months ago
766 views
Ōtorohanga will undergo three major bridge projects this year, including repairs to the flood-damaged Mangaorongo Bridge on State Highway 3 and Symes Bridge on State Highway 39, with work starting in June and July respectively. The Symes Bridge will also have its deck and beams replaced later this year to create a wider, more resilient structure, while a permanent two-lane replacement is planned for the temporary Mangati Bridge, destroyed by floods in February. These projects aim to ensure critical routes remain open and reliable for local communities and businesses, with traffic management and closures scheduled during construction.
29 May 2026
4 months ago
1102 views
The Government has awarded a contract to HEB Construction to begin the detailed design phase of the SH2 Waikare Gorge realignment project, which will shift the highway away from the vulnerable gorge section and include a new 260-meter single-span truss bridge. Early works and geotechnical investigations are underway, with main construction expected to start after design, consenting, and property acquisition are completed, and the project is anticipated to take up to four years and cost between $350 and $425 million. This realignment aims to improve resilience following damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, maintaining traffic flow with minimal disruption by constructing the new route away from the existing highway.
26 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1535 views
A temporary 40-meter steel-framed bridge with a 50-tonne weight limit is planned to be operational by mid-March to restore access south of Pirongia after the Mangati Bridge was destroyed in floods. Crews have cleared debris and begun work on both the temporary and permanent bridge, with the permanent two-lane bridge construction set to start later this year. The project has strong support from council partners and landowners, prioritizing safe and rapid reconnection of the community.