Pukete Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pukete Bridge |
|
|---|---|
South side of bridge from River Rd, with acoustic barrier of blue and yellow plastic panels, in 2015
|
|
| Carries | Motor vehicles |
| Crosses | Waikato River |
| Owner | Hamilton City Council |
| Preceded by | Fairfield Bridge |
| Followed by | Pukete sewer bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 158 metres (518 ft) |
| Longest span | 75 metres (246 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | January 1985 |
| Construction end | October 1996 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 38,400 (2018) |
The Pukete Bridge is a concrete bridge in Hamilton, New Zealand. It crosses the Waikato River. This bridge helps many cars and trucks travel across the city every day. It is an important part of the road network in Hamilton.
Contents
About the Pukete Bridge
The Pukete Bridge is a special type of bridge. It is called a box girder bridge. This means its main structure is shaped like a hollow box. The bridge is made from strong concrete. It was finished in October 1996.
Bridge Upgrades
In February 2011, work started to make the bridge bigger. The goal was to expand it from two lanes to four lanes. This upgrade helped more vehicles cross the river easily. The project was expected to finish in late 2013. However, it was completed even earlier, in May 2013.
During the upgrade, a lot of earth was moved. Thousands of tonnes of soil were taken away by trucks. This earth was used to build large ramps. These ramps are part of the State Highway 1 bypass. This bypass helps traffic flow better around Horotiu.
Cycle and Pedestrian Path
As part of the upgrade, a new path was added to the bridge. This path is three meters wide. It is for people who want to cycle or walk. It is on the southern side of the bridge.
The path has a special barrier. This barrier is made of blue and yellow plastic panels. It helps block traffic noise for people on the path. The yellow panels represent the kowhai trees. These trees grow along the river banks. The blue panels stand for the water and the sky.
Bridge Safety Features
The north side of the bridge has strong crash barriers. These barriers are designed to keep cars safe. They help prevent vehicles from going into the river. These safety measures are very important for everyone using the bridge.
Traffic on the Bridge
The Pukete Bridge is a very busy crossing. In 2006, about 25,200 vehicles used the bridge each day. By 2018, this number had grown a lot. Around 38,400 vehicles crossed the bridge daily. This shows how important the bridge is for Hamilton's transport.
