Work has started on building the first of three bridges for the Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycle Trail.
The bridge restores the link across the Jess Road wetland that was lost last year with the closing of the old bridge by the Department of Conservation due to safety concerns.
Jess Road Estuary Group spokesman Warwick Murray said the group would be delighted to have the new bridge back to restore their access for restoration work.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council project manager Scott Parker said the new bridge would take about four weeks to complete. It will be 2.5m wide and 20m long.
It is being built by HEB Construction, which was awarded a $1.8m contract to build three bridge links across the estuary and wetlands between Omokoroa and Te Puna.