Road workers are embarking on a major effort to repair a vital Coromandel road that's been out of order for most of this year.
The Kopu to Hikuai highway was washed out in storms, forcing major detours for people wanting to cross the peninsula.
Now, contractors are working around the clock to repair it by March.
The new bridge, to replace the washed-out section, spans a length and depth that would normally take 12 to 14 months to build.
But Waka Kotahi says it's on track to complete far sooner.
"This bridge or viaduct is longer than a football field. They're going to deliver it by March next year [and] they've really rattled their dags to get this underway," said Transport Minister David Parker.
Contractors are building girders off-site 24/7 and by the end of the month crews at the landslip site will be working to the same regime.
"[It's a] light at the end of the tunnel, or light at the end of the bridge if you like," said Thames-Coromandel Mayor Len Salt.
"So the community is still hurting but feeling optimistic at the moment."
A record 4.67 metres of rainfall in 2023 alone, combined with unstable soil 20 metres deep, led to devastating consequences.
Cracks started to appear in the road when Cyclone Hale hit, and the road was narrowed to one lane.
When the Auckland Anniversary floods happened, the road was closed completely.
Then, by the time Cyclone Gabrielle hit, the Coromandel slips were 1.6 kilometres long.
The options were to: bypass it (two years' work), or retain it (using 35-metre-deep piles), or to build a bridge.
"So [the] bridge was best because it's quick, it's efficient and you can work in all weather," said Jo Wilton from Waka Kotahi.
But businesses are desperate.
Gary Fitzsimons owns GoKiwi Shuttles, a minibus company between Whitianga and Tāmaki Makaurau - he also operated the suspended Cathedral Cove park and ride service.
"We probably have our staff cut in half this year and that's tough, because we have peak periods which are Christmas, New Year, and we need as many staff as possible," Fitzsimons told Newshub.
"So it's just not going to happen this year so that's tough. They're family you know - they're employees, but they're also family as well."
Even in Mangatarata, on the Auckland side, the Corner Store Cafe has lost 40 percent of its business
The cafe closes Tuesdays and Wednesdays now.
"Even if they [holidaymakers] have got homes there, they're not going," said Philippa Brooke from The Corner Store Cafe.
"They're not going to go because they may get stuck there [or] they might get rained in - they're just going to stay."
The bridge may not come in time for summer holidays, but it will happen sooner than we expected.
