By John Freer

State Highway 25A, the Kopu-Hikuai Road, is open.

It is the one Christmas present that everyone was quite happy to allow the gift wrapping to be ripped off early, today’s reopening and the opening of the new 124 metre Taparahi Bridge.

The opening of the $43 million project comes three months ahead of schedule and some $7 million under budget.

Massive praise has been heaped on all those involved in the project with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, saying it is an example of how New Zealand should build infrastructure into the future.

While the road was closed and the bridge was being constructed, the New Zealand Transport Agency freed up three years of the road’s maintenance funding, $25 million, which has been spent on areas known for washouts and slips, bridge strengthening, new culverts and general works.

As Thames Coromandel Mayor, Len Salt pointed out, this has all contributed to the future resilience of the highway.

Work is on-going but the critical thing is that it is open for the Christmas and Summer holiday period, vital to the viability of the region.

Open the link below to see the flyover.