Likely frontrunner appears for new Cambridge river crossing

Friday, 8 May 2026

A new river crossing for Cambridge has been a hot topic for years.

A lead option for a new bridge in Cambridge has been identified after a Waipā District Council workshop assessed various solutions put forward by the public and council staff.

It’s a sorely needed solution, as the town’s booming growth has caused brutal congestion issues, with hundreds of residents suggesting more than 1000 transport options.

Building a new bridge emerged as the top choice, making up 14.7% of the total ideas to ease congestion.

Congestion on Cambridge’s Victoria Street is a major talking point.

The four top options were an additional bridge corridor located in the east of the town, the far west, west of the town belt, or in town itself, councillors heard on Friday.

The western town belt, referred to as the ‘mid-west’ option within the workshop, was the clear favourite among councillors, with the in-town option being the runner-up.

The east and far west options were widely dismissed by council.

Deputy Mayor Jo Davies-Colley voiced strong opinions on the options discussed.

“I think mid-west for me is definitely a great option,” deputy mayor Jo Colley-Davies said.

“It still will allow people to access Cambridge without using the high-level bridging so it just alleviates all that pressure and congestion in our main street. It would be a great way for people to access Hamilton and that airport precinct.”

The rerouting of congestion from existing infrastructure was a winning factor for many councillors, along with the minimal disruption to privately owned property.

Clare St Pierre’s preferred option is a low-lying bridge on the western side of the existing bridge.

“The data on the percentage of traffic that’s travelling from Leamington to get out to Hamilton, you deviate quite a bit of that, which would take some pressure off the existing bridges,” mayor Mike Pettit said.

“Anything really where there’s not houses on both sides that is obviously advantageous… so mid-west is a good option.”

One notable exception came from Cr Clare St Pierre, who noted the mid-west wasn’t her preferred option due to the amount of people still wanting to get into central Cambridge.

Some councillors agreed the in-town option, which includes expanding the current high level bridge or adding a low level one in a similar area, had merit. St Pierre said she would like to see the latter implemented, referencing the TomTom data collected in that it will “solve the existing traffic pattern [and] congestion.”

Cambridge’s population is growing exponetially.

Other councillors didn’t share the sentiment.

“I can see the logic… but ultimately it won’t solve our problem,” Cr Roger Gordon said.

He added with the population of Cambridge set to double in 30 years, the “same problem of pushing vehicles down the centre of town” will still remain.

Cr Les Bennett agreed, saying how he “can’t see any point adding new to old”.

The question of excluding two options in the strategic planning and policy committee meeting (SPPM) on June 3 was then posed to councillors by general executive Katie Mayes, leading to a myriad of opinions.

Many councillors wished to hear feedback from community groups if a decision was to be made, with some worried about excluding options from the community so early on.

It stems from transport negotiations being a touchy subject as in early 2025 residents complained about not adequately being consulted, forcing the Cambridge Connections plan to reset.

Deputy Mayor Jo Davies-Colley argued that with community reference and input, council should remove options not suitable, citing it’s “their point as a governance group”.

“I want to move forward and I think over discussing options that are just not going to work is just a waste of time.”

All options will remain live until the next committee meeting in early June.