By John Freer

SH25A will not reopen for at least 12 to 14 months from now, this being confirmed today in the response to a formal question from National’s Transport spokesman Simeon Brown to the former Transport Minister Michael Wood.

This will come as a significant blow to the region which has been advised that the road would be opened early in the new year.

In the response to the information request, it was stated that the bridge option, estimated to cost between $26 and 28 million had an estimated build duration of 12 to 14 months.

Simeon maintained the Minister had misled the Coromandel community when he stated that the road would be open early next year. He said this came at a time when the Coromandel region needed certainty on the road reopening.

Open the link below to hear our interview with the Shadow Transport Minister.