The early reopening of State Highway 25A is being called a 'game-changer' for the Coromandel Peninsula economy.
The route between Kōpū and Hikuai was severed in Cyclone Gabrielle.
A new 124-metre bridge that now spans the resulting abyss will open by December 20, three months earlier than expected.
The tourism-reliant area suffered a severe economic downturn as a result of the extra effort required to get there.
Thames-Coromandel Mayor, Len Salt, told Mike Hosking that some of their hospitality operations have already booked out for this year's holiday period and are taking bookings for next year.
He said that the official date gives both businesses and visitors certainty.
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