Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, August 16, 2024
Hamiltonians are invited to experience the new Waikato River Bridge before it opens to traffic. Hamilton residents will soon have the opportunity to walk, scoot, or cycle across the city’s latest architectural achievement—a new bridge spanning the Waikato River.
The Hamilton City Council has announced a special public event scheduled for Saturday, August 31, 2024 allowing the community to explore the bridge before it opens to vehicular traffic.
The new bridge, part of a comprehensive infrastructure project aimed at supporting nearly 7400 future homes in the Peacocke area, represents a significant milestone in Hamilton’s urban development. In addition to the bridge, the project includes new roads, a roundabout, and essential infrastructure designed to accommodate the growing population of the city’s south-west region.
A Decade-Long Vision Coming to Life
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate expressed her enthusiasm for the project, which has been over a decade in the making. “This bridge is not just a structure. It is a gateway to a vibrant new part of our city,” Mayor Southgate remarked. “It symbolises the future of Hamilton, providing much-needed homes for up to 20,000 residents who will call Peacocke home.”
The bridge has been a collaborative effort involving past and present councils, with resources and expertise drawn from across New Zealand. Mayor Southgate emphasised the significance of the project, stating, “It is hard to comprehend the scale of this achievement until you stand in the middle of the bridge. I am thrilled that our community can share in this special moment.”
A Celebration of Engineering and Community
The public event on August 31 is expected to draw large crowds, reminiscent of the thousands who attended the opening of the Pukete Bridge in 1996. To accommodate the anticipated turnout, the Council has organised a day filled with activities, including food trucks, music, and informative stands about the bridge and the broader Peacocke development.
“This will be a day of celebration for our community,” Mayor Southgate said. “I encourage everyone to come out, see this incredible piece of engineering, learn about the construction process, and discover what the Council is doing in Peacocke.”
The bridge will undergo a formal blessing and be given a name by mana whenua in late August, just before it opens to traffic. The exact timing of the opening will remain undisclosed to manage traffic and ensure public safety.
Event details include an invitation to walk and cycle the new Waikato River bridge on Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 10 am to 2 pm, located at Kairokiroki Drive at the south end of Wairere Drive, next to Hamilton Gardens. The site can be accessed by walking, scooting, or biking along the Te Awa River Ride.
The Peacocke development is backed by the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, including a $180.3 million interest-free loan and $110.1 million in subsidies from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The area’s development plan includes a comprehensive transport network, parks, and essential services, all designed to create a thriving new community along the Waikato River.
For more information and to track the bridge’s progress, visit hamilton.govt.nz/bridgetimelapse.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
