First sod turned on SH2 Waikare Gorge realignment

Transport Minister Chris Bishop marked the start of construction on a 4 km realignment of State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier, designed to reduce landslide risks and restore reliable freight connections after Cyclone Gabrielle severed the gorge route for months. The project replaces a vulnerable section that passes through Pūtōrino and the Waikare Gorge, where slips and the destroyed bridge disrupted travel between Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa until a temporary crossing was installed.

A 260-metre single-span bridge will span the gorge at approximately 65 metres above the river, eliminating the need for vehicles to descend into the unstable gorge floor. The government reduced the project’s estimated cost from $350–425 million in February 2025 to $275–325 million after competitive tendering, structural design innovations, and risk mitigation measures lowered expenses while maintaining safety and durability standards.

Construction is scheduled to begin within weeks, with the existing temporary bridge remaining in service until the new alignment and permanent bridge are completed to avoid further disruptions to local traffic and freight movements. The realignment forms part of a broader $1 billion regional road investment programme that also includes the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, designated as a Road of National Significance, aimed at enhancing transport efficiency and economic resilience across the East Coast.

NZTA will continue routine monitoring of the temporary bridge and surrounding assets to ensure safety and functionality until the permanent infrastructure is operational and the realigned highway is opened to traffic.