Construction starts on New Zealand's highest road bridge
Thursday 8 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story NZ Transport Agency
Work has begun on a 260-metre-long bridge across the Waikare Gorge on State Highway 2. The structure will connect Napier and Wairoa, replacing a temporary one-lane Bailey bridge. Once finished, the bridge will be the highest road bridge in the country.
Key facts
4 facts
- Construction of a 260m truss bridge on State Highway 2 has begun
- The bridge will be 65m above the river, making it New Zealand's highest road bridge
- The project cost was reduced from $350-$425m to $275-$325m
- The new bridge replaces a temporary Bailey bridge installed after the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Construction has commenced on a 260-metre long truss bridge across the Waikare Gorge on State Highway 2. The project, located between Napier and Wairoa, will create New Zealand's highest road bridge at 65 metres above the river. This new structure will replace the temporary one-lane Bailey bridge that has been in place since Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed the original bridge in 2023.
The project is expected to take four years to complete, though Transport Agency's Rob Partridge suggested the construction team might finish earlier. The bridge is designed to span slightly more than the gorge to avoid geological and geotechnical issues on the edges.
The road realignment will cross the properties of five landowners. Dairy farmer Ben Mackintosh, whose family has farmed the area for over 100 years, noted that approximately 27 hectares of his 205-hectare farm will be used for the road. Mackintosh stated, "It's going to be a pain in the ass. During construction it'll be quite a nightmare".
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the project cost has decreased from an initial estimate of $350 million to $425 million in February 2025 to a new range of $275 million to $325 million. This reduction is attributed to design innovation, competitive tender pricing, and risk mitigation. Wairoa District councillor Jeremy Harker described the bridge as a significant win for the East Coast economy.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times.