07 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
256 views
The Waikare Gorge realignment project on State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier aims to create a safer, more resilient highway supporting economic growth and community connectivity. The nearly 4km realignment includes a 260-metre bridge spanning 65 meters above the river, with construction starting next month and expected to take 3-4 years, minimizing traffic disruption. Initially estimated at $350-425 million, the project cost has reduced to $275-325 million due to competitive tendering and design innovations, forming part of a nearly $1 billion regional road infrastructure investment.
06 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
273 views
The New Zealand government will allocate $5 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to replace the nearly century-old Piraunui Stream Bridge on State Highway 26, a vital transport route in Waikato. This proactive investment aims to ensure resilient infrastructure, support economic growth, and maintain safe, reliable connections for communities and freight operators. Design and consenting work will start within six months, with construction planned for 2027, pending approvals.
03 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
279 views
Land has been secured on Karaka Road in Drury for a future hospital facility to address South Auckland’s rapidly growing healthcare needs, with the 13-hectare site offering excellent transport links and proximity to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s R&D precinct. The $45.3 million purchase aims to provide space for modern, accessible health infrastructure that supports quality services and fosters innovation in the region. The Government, through NIFCO and Health New Zealand, will plan and potentially develop a major hospital, ensuring long-term investment and flexibility to meet future healthcare demands.
07 Jul 2026
3 months ago
744 views
Full construction on the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement on State Highway 25 in Coromandel will begin next week, following enabling works that started in May 2026. The project aims to improve traffic flow and regional accessibility by replacing the 83-year-old single-lane bridge with a new two-lane structure, with completion expected next year. Additional bridge replacements and resilience investments are planned across the region to enhance safety and reliability for communities, freight, and emergency services.
07 Jul 2026
3 months ago
822 views
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced that NZTA has awarded a design contract to Beca for a new two-lane replacement of the one-lane SH2 Pekatahi Bridge, aiming to improve safety, resilience, and reliability. The new 325-meter bridge will feature earthquake-resilient foundations, an elevated deck to withstand flooding, and be constructed alongside the existing bridge to avoid long-term closures, with construction expected to start by mid-2027 pending funding approval. Meanwhile, NZTA will continue maintaining the current bridge, which remains safe but prioritized for replacement due to resilience concerns, with costs estimated between $64 and $69 million and construction lasting 18-24 months.
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.
31 Mar 2026
6 months ago
1116 views
The repair work at Devil’s Elbow on State Highway 2, a critical section between Napier and Wairoa, has been completed, marking the end of Cyclone Gabrielle recovery efforts in the area. The project involved extensive repairs including road rebuilding, culvert replacements, and a new retaining wall to improve resilience against future storm damage. Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlighted the improved safety and reliability of the route, acknowledging the efforts of local contractors and the support from the community throughout the recovery process.
11 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1275 views
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the construction of a new two-lane bridge on SH2 near Tāneatua to replace the inadequate one-lane Pekatahi Bridge, with design and consenting funded at $5 million and construction expected to start in mid-2027 at a total cost of $64-69 million. The new bridge will be built adjacent to the existing one to minimize disruption, feature earthquake-resilient foundations, flood protection, and accommodate High Productivity Motor Vehicles, thereby supporting regional economic growth and improving freight reliability. Meanwhile, NZTA will maintain the current bridge with steel plate installations and ongoing monitoring until the new bridge is completed, addressing safety and community concerns in the interim.
13 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1548 views
Construction has commenced on the State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway, a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing resilience and productivity in the region and creating job opportunities. The project includes various upgrades such as four-laning sections, new overpasses, and a bridge, with completion expected by December 2029. The Expressway serves as a vital link connecting Napier and Hastings, facilitating the movement of people and freight, and is crucial for accommodating the region's anticipated growth.
30 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1881 views
Safety improvements, including intersection upgrades and a speed limit review, will be implemented soon at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection on State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, following Transport Minister Chris Bishop's announcement due to the high number of crashes at the intersection. The upgrades will involve installing traffic lights, signage, and line markings to enhance safety for motorists and cyclists. NZTA will consult the public on a proposed 80km/h speed limit, with construction scheduled to start in October and be completed by the end of the year.