Penlink crews are pausing for the holidays from Monday, December 22, with work set to restart on Monday, January 5, 2026.

A few teams may still be active on Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23, so locals may notice some site movement.

Regular site checks will continue during the break, and the work area remains an active construction site that is not safe for public access at any time.

One of the biggest milestones sits over the Wēiti River, where multiple cranes are building two V-shaped pylons that will eventually stand 60 metres tall.

Work on the bridge super-structure is underway, and crews are preparing to install form travellers, movable platforms used to build the bridge deck section by section.

That deck build is expected to start in early 2026.

The Wēiti River bridge is planned to be 535 metres long and 45 metres above the water.

It is designed to carry vital services including water, power, communications, and wastewater.

It will include two vehicle lanes and a 3.5-metre shared path for walking and cycling, with a deck width that allows for future bus lanes.

Watch the Weiti River Bridge timelapse video.

Across the wider project in 2025, more than 1 million cubic metres of earth has been moved, two of six bridges are complete, and 2,300 metres of drainage and 83 manholes have been installed.

Stillwater residents are now using the new Duck Creek Road bridge and a new two-lane section opened on Thursday, December 11.

A short section is expected to return to one lane in early 2026, with more details to come in the new year.

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