‘Special day’ as new expressway bridge opens
A new bridge opened on the Waikato Expressway.
The State Highway 26-Morrinsville Road bridge, which opened yesterday morning, is the first of 17 planned for the Hamilton section of the expressway.
The expressway will reduce traffic congestion and reduce travel times, said New Zealand Transport Agency portfolio manager Peter Simcock. The second bridge, at Gordonton Road, is expected to open in December, followed by the Matangi Road Bridge in March.
‘‘This 21.8-kilometre section of the Waikato Expressway has 17 bridges, so opening the first bridge is a special day for the team,’’ Simcock said. ‘‘All these bridges have been built on the ground. This is referred to as top-down construction. The expressway will be excavated and constructed underneath each bridge.’’
Early construction of key bridges provides access for dump trucks to haul sand north and south along the project without disrupting local road or rail traffic, Simcock said. The East Coast Main Trunk Rail Bridge at Rua- kura has already opened to construction traffic.
Dump trucks are hauling sand over the bridge to extend the expressway embankments north to Puketaha Road this summer.
‘‘Bad weather has affected the Hamilton section project , but remains on track for opening of the expressway in 2020.’’
"Opening the first bridge is a special day for the team." NZTA's Peter Simcock