Project summary

What we're doing

A key part of a wider transport network planned for the Peacocke neighbourhood, the new bridge over the Waikato River, is set to open in mid-2024. Construction of the bridge and surrounding transport network is budgeted to cost $135 million.

The bridge features:

  • four lanes, including dedicated bus lanes
  • separate pedestrian and bike paths
  • a span of 95-110m over the Waikato River
  • no piers in the river, and a single Y-shaped pillar on the south bank of the river, supporting a flat bridge deck spanning more than 200m
  • a pedestrian bridge on the northern side of the river
  • lighting and structural features to minimise the impact on the native long-tailed bats and the surrounding environment, both during construction and when it is operational.

The surrounding transport network features:

  • a 1.6km extension to Wairere Drive from the new bridge
  • urban upgrades to Weston Lea Drive and Peacockes Road to accommodate traffic and footpaths
  • a network of underpasses, separated bike paths, and roads that prioritise buses and other public transport
  • a two-lane, four-way roundabout at the intersection of Wairere Drive extension and Peacockes Road
  • a signalised intersection at Peacockes Road and Weston Lea Drive
  • relocated and newly installed utility services to cater for growth
  • new stormwater, wastewater, and water supply pipes.

Why we're doing it

Peacocke and up to 20,000 future residents will need good connections to the rest of the city and the wider region. The new bridge and the new pedestrian- bike- and public transport-friendly road network provides this integration of Peacocke into Hamilton.

This project will

  • Connect Peacocke to the rest of the city

  • Prioritise public transport, pedestrians and people on bikes

  • Protect the health of our river and wildlife

Project features

  • Peacocke Bridge

    Environment-focused bridge

    A striking design with no piers in the river, plus lighting and structural features that will minimise impact on native long-tailed bats and the surrounding environment.
  • Cyclists peacocke

    Walk, cycle, bus

    There will be dedicated bus lanes on the new bridge, a pedestrian overbridge on the northern side of the river, plus a network of underpasses, separated bike paths and roads that prioritise buses and other public transport.
  • Bridge lift

    2,650 tonnes

    The amount of structural steel needed to reinforce the completed bridge.

Where we're at with progress

  • Stage 1 - Planning

    2019

    Preliminary design.
  • Stage 2 - Underway

    November 2020

    Work by HEB construction began on the bridge and surrounding network.
  • Stage 3 - Completed

    2024

    The bridge and surrounding transport network are set to open in mid 2024.

Programme blueprint

River bridge video overlay

Take A Look

Project blueprint

Concrete pour timelapse – March 2023

Forming the central pier – May 2022

The new bridge to Peacocke marked an exciting milestone in May 2022 as work was completed to install two steel structures for the central support for the bridge. The steel structures weigh more than 200 tonnes each (that's 200,000kg!) and are being lifted into place by one of the largest crawler cranes in the country. In July 2022, HEB Construction won Lift of the Year at the 2022 NZ Crane Awards! The top award recognised the complex and unique crane lift to form the central pier.

Waikato River Bridge

Project timelapse cameras

Frequently asked questions

What costs are involved and where is the funding coming from?

​Construction of the bridge and surrounding transport network is budgeted to cost $135 million. This is funded through the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund, made up of a $180.3 million 10-year interest-free loan and $110.1 million of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency subsidies.

Why is earth being piled up?

We're continuing with earthworks to shape the ground for future roads to be built. In some cases you might see us stockpiling some of the dirt so we can use this to build future roads and landscaping. We do our best to manage dust in the dry summer season using water trucks.

Where will traffic diversions be in place?

Peacockes Road

Traffic management is in place at various points along Peacockes Road to provide safe work areas while we continue to make progress as quickly and safely as we can. Much of our work requires traffic restrictions to one lane or temporary road closures. We will continue to maintain safe access for pedestrians and people on bikes.

Temporary diversion road for new roundabout

Soon we'll be diverting Peacockes Road traffic onto a temporary road to allow us more room to build the new roundabout.

New intersection at Weston Lea Drive/Peacockes Road

There's a temporary new intersection at the corner of Weston Lea Drive and Peacockes Road, opposite Peacockes Lane. This is unsealed for now so residents on Weston Lea Drive can access their properties while we continue with our work.

Weston Lea Drive closure

We're closing off sections of Weston Lea Drive to all traffic so we can install new stormwater, wastewater, and water pipes for future development in the area. Closing sections of the road at a time allows room for our machinery to complete this work as quickly and safely as possible.

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Last updated 5 July 2022