Transport Minister, Chris Bishop, has announced construction will begin next month on a new $10 million two-lane bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25), just north of Whiritoa, to replace the current single-lane Ramarama Stream Bridge.
The Minister said the nearly century old bridge, which carries more than 2,500 vehicles per day – 13% of which are heavy vehicles – 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 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,” Mr Bishop said.
“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.”
The replacement of the Ramarama Stream Bridge is 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.
