The bridges of Hamilton’s newest suburb, Peacocke

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

There’s more bridge action in Hamilton’s newest suburb than the eye-catching connection across the Waikato River.

The $290 million Peacocke suburb is expanding the southern end of the city, including seven planned bridges that will be a mix of “bikes on pipes bridges” and functional bridges kitted out with strategic utility services such as water and wastewater as well as electricity and internet services.

Construction of one of the main roads through the suburb, Whatukooruru Drive, is under way mostly out of sight of the public and will cater to motorists and public transport, with separated cycle lanes and footpaths.

It will be a key transport connection from Peacockes Rd in the east to Ohaupo Rd (State Highway 3) in the west.

The multi-purpose bridges in the suburb go “beyond traffic” city general manager – infrastructure and assets Andrew Parsons said and look to serve as passageways for utilities as well.

Two bridges are going up over the Mangakootukutuku Gully, both consisting of three spans measuring around 21m-wide.

The eastern gully bridge will be 66m-long with 30 beams to provide single lanes and walking and cycling provisions on both sides while the central gully bridge will be 85m-long with 27 beams. The concrete beams themselves weigh up to 50 tonnes.

“It continues that whole commitment to walking and cycling in Peacocke,” Parsons said.

“There are three bridges going over Whatukooruru Drive itself, they are more functional in nature.”

The Whatukooruru Drive project is being delivered by Downer NZ with a date of completion set for mid-2025.

Meanwhile, progress continues on the two gateway bridges that also form part of the north-south wastewater pipeline and shared pathway project, overlooking the scenic waters of the Waikato River.

This includes the $160 million “superstructure” Peacocke bridge which will connect Hamilton East to the new development.

“It’s kind of gateway infrastructure if you will, it doesn’t just carry traffic it carries all the main utility services required for Peacocke developement.

“There’s the obvious big bridge … that one is particularly significant, it’s 180m-long, then there is the smaller pedestrian cycle bridge that goes over it at the northern end.”

Cyclists would score a massive cut to their travel time as well, bypassing the commuter traffic from Peacocke to the city centre, Parsons said.

“We’re looking at formal completion or opening around the middle of this calender year, so that is going to be pretty exciting because it’s a whole new structure across the Waikato River.”

The suburb is one of Hamilton’s largest greenfield areas and was the next area designated for development following Rotokauri and Rototuna to the north of the city.

The project is funded through the housing infrastructure fund in partnership with the Government and NZTA.