New Two-Lane Pekatahi Bridge Approved to Strengthen SH2 and Boost Regional Links

Bishop emphasised the strategic importance of SH2, describing it as a lifeline between Gisborne, Tairāwhiti, the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, and Auckland.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced a major infrastructure upgrade for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, confirming that the ageing one-lane Pekatahi Bridge on State Highway 2 (SH2) will be replaced with a modern two-lane structure. The project aims to improve safety, resilience, and freight efficiency along one of the North Island’s most important transport corridors.

Bishop emphasised the strategic importance of SH2, describing it as a lifeline between Gisborne, Tairāwhiti, the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, and Auckland. The route carries tourists, essential supplies, agricultural exports, and freight to the Port of Tauranga. However, the existing Pekatahi Bridge has long been regarded as a bottleneck.

“It’s rough, uneven, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The local community and freight operators have raised concerns for years,” Bishop said. Initial plans to replace only the deck were abandoned when detailed engineering inspections revealed deeper structural issues requiring a full rebuild.

To advance the project, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has approved around $5 million for detailed design and consenting, work that will begin immediately and is expected to finish by the end of 2026. NZTA already owns the necessary land, reducing delays in the planning process.

Construction on the new two-lane bridge is expected to start in mid-2027 and take approximately 18 months to complete. The total project cost—including demolition of the existing bridge—is estimated at $64–$69 million. Final costs will be confirmed following approval of construction funding and contractor selection.

A key advantage for road users is that the new bridge will be built alongside the existing one, allowing SH2 to remain open throughout construction. This approach avoids long-term closures that would otherwise impact residents, freight operators, and regional businesses.

The new bridge will incorporate modern engineering standards, including earthquake-resilient foundations and an elevated deck to protect against flooding and extreme weather events—challenges that are becoming more frequent due to climate change. It will also accommodate High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs), improving freight efficiency for forestry, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.

In the interim, NZTA will complete targeted works to keep the current bridge safe, including installing steel plates on the deck and increasing monitoring. These measures will begin in early 2026 and ensure continuity of travel until the replacement is operational.

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick welcomed the announcement, noting that Pekatahi is the last one-lane bridge remaining on SH2. “This has been the topic of countless conversations across the Eastern Bay of Plenty for years. It’s a critical route for inter-regional traffic and exports, and this commitment from the Government and NZTA is excellent news,” she said.

Bishop added that accelerating the project remains a priority: “I look forward to seeing ground broken on the new bridge and want NZTA to seize any opportunity to bring this work forward.”

The upgrade represents a significant investment in regional connectivity, economic growth, and long-term transport resilience for communities across Tairāwhiti and the Bay of Plenty.