Harold’s first over new $2.5m bridge
From his window, Harold Nielsen has watched diggers and roadworkers transform his neighbourhood for more than a year.
And the 91-year-old was the first to drive across the fruits of that labour, Hamilton’s newly minted $2.5m bridge.
Residents, tangata whenua, politicians, NZTA staff and road workers gathered for the iwi-led blessing of Rototuna Bridge yesterday.
After 15 months of detours to the nearest supermarket, the unveiling was welcomed by locals.
It’s last of 17 local road bridges, on the 22km Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway, to open.
Shortly after the sun had risen, dozens of people ambled along the two lanes, while Rototuna Bridge was blessed and its name unveiled.
The bridge, which straddles the boundaries of Hamilton and Waikato District, was named in recognition of the large lake once located there, once an abundant food source for Nga¯ti Wairere, which first settled in the area.
The area later filled with farmland, then housing developments. Nielsen was ‘‘very honoured’’ to be first to drive across the bridge, the progress of which he has been watching from his window.
He’s happy a drive to the shops will only take a few minutes, without the roadworks detour. But having built a bridge himself in the past, he understands the hard work that goes into them.
‘‘Look at this bridge – it’s unbelievable.’’
Denise Gardner, who grew up in a house within view of the new bridge, remembers when the area was nothing but farmland.
‘‘[Horsham Rd] has been the city boundary for years, but we always thought of ourselves as way out in the country because nobody from the city would want to come out and visit, because it was so far away.
‘‘We’ve seen the city come out and out and out and here it is.’’
It felt right that the bridge overlooked the north south, east and west, she said.
Labour list MP Jamie Strange said road workers had worked hard to get the bridge opened before Christmas.
The Government’s focus on roads, rail and Waikato River were all crucial parts of the city’s growth, he said.
National MP David Bennett agreed the Waikato Expressway would become the ‘‘heartbeat’’ of Hamilton, connecting the city with Tauranga and Auckland.
‘‘It’s a huge capital investment from central Government, which will deliver major economic growth and safety results for our region.
‘‘The crucial thing is we need to continue this progress.’’