SH50 Ngaruroro River Bridge work to get underway
New Zealand’s Transport Minister announced a $5–10 million contract to strengthen the 80-year-old SH50 Ngaruroro River Bridge, lifting current weight and speed limits and enabling heavier freight once work completes in 2023.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the State Highway 50 bridge south of Fernhill will undergo strengthening to restore full vehicle access. The 80-year-old structure currently carries about 7,000 vehicles daily, including 5% heavy vehicles, and has operated under weight and speed restrictions since October 2022. Strengthening work is intended to remove those limits and support freight operators, local businesses, emergency services and other road users who rely on the route.
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) secured necessary consents and finalised planning after funding approval in December 2022. Downer has been appointed as the contractor, with site offices scheduled to open shortly. Construction is expected to begin in October 2023 and reach completion in 2024, at an estimated cost of between $5 million and $10 million.
Once completed, the strengthened bridge will allow High Productivity Motor Vehicles and 50MAX freight configurations to use SH50 for the first time. The project aligns with the National Infrastructure Plan’s focus on maintaining and improving existing infrastructure rather than building new assets.
Bishop thanked local freight operators, communities and MPs Katie Nimon and Catherine Wedd for their advocacy during the planning phase. The work excludes bridges damaged by weather events and is intended to restore full functionality to a vital transport link in Hawke’s Bay.