The Kopu Bridge project is already boosting the regional economy – two years before it is expected to be completed.
The $47 million project to replace the ageing Kopu Bridge across the Waihou River has to date employed 40 people – mostly from HEB Construction.

Thames-Coromandel Mayor Phillippa Barriball, New Zealand Transport Agency chief executive Geoff Dangerfield and HEB project manager Darren Bentham inspect progress on the Kopu bBridge.

The project has also provided jobs for local workers who are providing a range of services including fencing and driving. As construction continues over the next two years it is anticipated that at least 10 more people will be employed full-time on site and another 100 downstream, supplying materials and providing supporting services.
New Zealand Transport Agency regional director Harry Wilson, who visited the site on Thursday this week, says almost all materials for the project would be New Zealand sourced.
'Originally, construction of the bridge was not scheduled to start until 2011 but the project was brought forward as part of the government's $500 million jobs and growth plan,” says Harry.
'While the project will have long-term benefits for the region, there are benefits to be gained during the construction phase and we want to maximise those.”
Locally-sourced products include crushed aggregate from Leach's Quarry near Kopu, which has been used as embankment filling. About 185,000 tonnes of fill has been used on the site so far. Approximately 50,000 tonnes will also be required for stage two and three of the embankment filling.
Work began on the platform from the west bank out into the river began before Christmas. The western platform is expected to be completed by June and will support the piling rig and heavy plant needed for construction of the piers, bridge beams and deck. Once complete, another platform will be built out from the east bank.
Meanwhile, pile casings for pier one will soon be driven to their final depth of 36 metres. Work has already begun on the permanent pile cases for pier two and reinforcing steel cages for the piles are being assembled.
The 578 metre long bridge is expected to be completed by mid 2012.