Road to Recovery: SH25A to reopen end of March 2024
Published on 28 June 2023
The bridge to reconnect State Highway 25A (Kōpū-Hikuai Road) should be finished and the road reopened by the end of March 2024, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has announced.
Our Mayor Len attended a small private dawn blessing at the site on Tuesday morning, signalling the formal start of enabling works.
“We went up to the blessing yesterday morning,” says Mayor Len, speaking of the ceremony to signal the formal start of enabling works. “It was very moving and very encouraging to see things get underway.”
“Drainage water management is underway, with earthworks to build all-weather access tracks for heavy machinery the next job ahead,” says Waka Kotahi’s Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton.
Drilling to confirm the founding depth of the piles at the location of the bridge abutments began last Wednesday (21 June) under the jurisdiction of Waka Kotahi contractors, who remained in charge of the site until the consortium were given the keys following the blessing this morning.
Up to 100 people will be working at the SH25A Taparahi site with additional labour dedicated to offsite works, such as prefabrication of bridge components.
Workers will be divided into two teams working two 10-hour shifts, with 80 per cent of the crew housed locally on the Coromandel.
More information is on the Waka Kotahi website.
State Highway 25 Opoutere reopens
SH25 at Opoutere (picture above) is now open to all traffic including trucks and trailers.
Repairs to fix the underslip have been completed ahead of schedule, however the site remains under stop/go traffic management and road users are asked to take care as the surface is not yet fully sealed. Pavement works cannot be completed until the weather improves.
State Highway updates
Get updates from Waka Kotahi on their work to restore SH25A here.
The latest on our Council local roading network
Emergency repairs to the bridge on Port Charles Road, 400m south of Carey Road, are planned for next week on Tuesday 4 July, with a provisional back-up date of Wednesday 5 July.
We ask that residents and road users please use the road before 7am and prepare for it to be reopened again at 5pm. Traffic controllers will be onsite and will reopen the road once works are completed at about 5pm. Please follow their instructions.
Thank you in advance from our Council and contractors Ventia for your patience and understanding while these works are completed.
Application deadline for Cyclone Gabrielle Welfare Support Grant extended
If your marae, iwi or community organisation incurred costs or used resources helping people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, you have more time to apply for reimbursement funding.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has extended the deadline for applications to 31 August 2023. The fund is intended to reimburse certain emergency costs incurred by marae, iwi, and recognised community organisations (including rural groups, Pacific organisations, and ethnic service providers) who supported people during the state of national emergency.
New fund targets out-of-region visitors
The new Hauraki-Coromandel 2023/2024 Regional Event Fund (REF) opens in July, to help attract visitors from out of our region to boost visitor spending.
Our regional tourism organisation Destination Hauraki Coromandel is aiming to build a stronger calendar of events to showcase the essence of the Coromandel and stimulate economic wellbeing.
The new fund will also provide significant flow-on benefits to tourism businesses, including the Coromandel’s retail and hospitality sectors.
Event organisers will need to show that they have a clear plan and pathway to attract out-of-region visitors and not simply leverage this audience while already in the region. They must also make a commitment to local environmental protection actions.
Matarangi Bluff Scenic Reserve Track reopens
The Matarangi Bluff Track has reopened to the public following recent remedial work as part of the Department of Conservation’s Cyclone Recovery Plan.
The track had been damaged by a series of slips caused by extreme weather events. A new entrance point has been created to future-proof the track from slips which may occur.
The kauri hygiene station and signage has been reinstated and all visitors are encouraged to follow kauri hygiene advice to protect taonga trees in the area.
The popular short walk connects Matarangi and Rings Beach, providing spectacular views over Matarangi, Kūaotunu and the Coromandel Peninsula.
Rural Support Trust invites farmers to ‘recharge’
Rural Support Trust is holding a special ‘Rural Recharge’ dinner event at Thames War Memorial Civic centre on the 6 July to give farmers a chance to relax and unwind.
Dinner will be followed by a Q&A session with Julia Jones and a panel of sporting guests who will share their insights of leading teams through tough times, how to build morale, how to stay resilient, and general tips for maintaining your wellbeing.
The DairyNZ team will be available to answer questions and offer any advice for the new season.
Doors open 5:30pm. Dinner is served between 6:00pm/6:30pm. Q&A starts at 7:15pm. There will be a cash bar and raffles on the night.