The new bridge is 587 m long, and has 16 spans, with its foundations being driven 36 m to 50 m deep into the riverbed, due to the soft swampy ground not providing good support otherwise. Much of the ground also had to be forcibly compacted first. The design incorporates images of waka and taniwha, and landscaping using native plants. The cost was originally estimated at $32 million but this later rose to $47–48 million (including 2.5 km of new approach road as well as a new roundabout near Thames).
