Crews working on the State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway Roads of National Significance project have started working on the latest two-lane overpass.

Construction of the second two-lane Kennedy Road overpass has now started and is expected to finish by mid-2027. 

Work will begin with earthworks around the Kennedy Road overpass to help prepare the ground for piling activities, which will provide the foundations for the new overpass. Following completion of earthworks, piling will start in just over a week (from 23 March).

To construct the overpass, our teams are installing 32 piles to build a stable foundation. Road users will see a crane working close to the existing Kennedy Road overpass. The crane will be lifting the pile casings, helping to move them to the correct location before they’re driven into the ground.

Traffic impact

As part of this work, temporary traffic management will be in place 24/7 through to mid-2027. Throughout construction, the northbound Kennedy Road offramp will remain closed, as previously advertised.

At times, Kennedy Road may be reduced down to one lane in each direction, and cyclists and pedestrians will need to use the opposite side of the road at times.

Crews will be operating Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm. Sunday or night-time work may be required from time-to-time.   

Piling ongoing – New second Tutaekuri River Bridge 

Piling at the Tutaekuri River Bridge is already underway, with 12 of 24 piles now constructed. This is a significant milestone in constructing the new bridge, which will be 273 metres long. On average, supporting piles are drilled 30 metres into the ground. 

Crews are working 9am-3pm, Monday to Friday, and sometimes on Saturday at the same times. Expect up to 10 minute delays during these times. 

Piling underway – New second Meeanee Road overpass

Piling is continuing along Meeanee Road to construct the second overpass structure. This work is similar to what you can expect to see at Kennedy Road. We’re also using a crane on this site to keep our workers safe while working close to the traffic – you’ll see it nestled in between the roundabout, onramp, and existing overpass.

To date, five piles have been lifted into place out of a total of 16, ready to be driven into the ground.

One lane of the roundabout will remain closed to create a safe work zone under the overpass. From late March, traffic will be diverted to the northern side of both roundabouts to allow construction to continue safely.

Piling is one of the noisiest stages of construction because it involves driving large steel piles deep into the ground.

Please expect delays, especially at peak times. People walking and cycling will use temporary paths, and crossing points at the ramp will stay open with some changes for safety.