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City bosses have awarded their largest contract to date to turn Hamilton’s plans for a new river bridge into reality.
HEB Construction won the $ 135 million project and it comes as Hamilton City Council launches new conceptual designs for the upcoming bridge.
The burnt orange bridge features a V-shaped pier that sits off the edge of the Waikato River and, once completed, will connect Hillcrest with the new Peacocke development.
Work on the bridge, surrounding roads, and related environmental work is scheduled to begin in October and is heavily geared toward helping revitalize the south of the city.
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Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said the bridge and transportation network will enable growth in the south of the city, while Peacocke’s broader program is estimated to generate $ 6 billion in benefits for the city over the the next 30 years.
HEB Construction is expected to complete the bridge and new roads by 2023.
“The bridge will be a real asset to the city and we are a bridge city,” Southgate said.
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The new Hamilton Bridge over the Waikato River will be completed in 2023.
“I am very excited about the possibility of Peacocke working in terms of homes, jobs and high environmental standards.”
The council expects up to 3,750 homes to be built in Peacocke over the next 10 years, providing housing for some 20,000 residents.
“I believe that Peacocke will make a significant contribution towards creating affordable housing in Hamilton,” Southgate said.
“With New Zealanders coming home, there is even more demand for housing and we have not yet solved that problem, the housing crisis. Peacocke will be a big step forward in that regard, providing homes for the people. “
Hamilton City Hall
A virtual look at Peacocke’s planned transportation network.
The new bridge and roads are budgeted for in the council’s long-term plan. Funding for the project will come from a grant from the Waka Kotahi NZ Transportation Agency, as well as a 10-year interest-free government loan through the Housing Infrastructure Fund.
Southgate said the council will follow a process in naming the new bridge that includes input from tangata whenua, NZTA and other stakeholders.
Hamilton has six road bridges that span the Waikato River, and the oldest bridge in the city, the Claudelands Bridge, was built in 1884.
The Pukete Bridge is the newest road bridge in the city, and it was built in 1996. In 2013, the Pukete Bridge was modified to allow it to carry four lanes of traffic on the original structure. A footpath and bike path were also added on the upstream side of the bridge.
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The new Hamilton Bridge will connect the city to the Peacocke development.
Pedestrians, bicyclists and public transportation are key considerations in planning for Peacocke, Southgate said.
These plans include a network of separate bike lanes, underpasses and roads that prioritize buses and other public transportation. A planned footbridge will allow bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross the road on the northeast side of the river.
The opening of Peacocke has been a major focus of the council, with the area set to absorb the city’s growth. The city’s established southern suburbs are also expected to benefit from the Peacocke development.
“We hope that the southern areas of the city, the schools, cool down well with this, and the commercial areas, etc.,” Southgate said.
“Bader, Fitzroy and Glenview, I think, they will see that a lot of businesses will get there because there will be more people to use them.”
