Deaths come as Government prepares to consider extensive changes to our road rules.

George Williams, 94, was first across Coromandel Peninsula's Kopu Bridge in 1928 and was on hand to help launch its replacement.

Coromandel residents will join John Key today to celebrate the start of the construction of a $47m Kopu Bridge replacement.

Auckland Harbour Bridge has been left off a list of highway upgrades needed to cope with heavier trucks.