The NZ Transport Agency is reporting the new two-lane Kopu Bridge is set to be open before Christmas – six months earlier than expected.

The new Kopu Bridge.

The new two-lane crossing adjacent to the original one-lane bridge is expected to be open in the second or third week of December, with the project also coming in $7 million under budget.

The project was originally estimated to cost about $47 million, but has come under budget costing only $40 million.

Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Glenn Leach is happy with the work the contractors have done to get the crossing completed.

He says there is still some minor tidying up jobs to be done.

A public walk through has been planned for December 10 and will include a tour of the two lanes, the shared walking and cycle path on the northern side of the bridge.

There is also an underpass link at the eastern end to provide access to the bridge from a proposed cycleway to be built between Thames and Paeroa.