Local MP celebrates bridge construction
Louise Upston, Member of Parliament for Taupo, was thrilled to attend an event marking construction of the Atiamuri Bridge replacement project, a $24.3 million project on State Highway 1 (SH1) in South Waikato.
“The existing Atiamuri Bridge crosses the Waikato River on the boundary between the South Waikato and Taupo districts, 39 kilometres north of Taupo. SH1 is a significant freight route with high volumes of heavy vehicles, it is a key, strategically important national state highway route”, says Louise.
“The replacement of the existing Atiamuri Bridge is a high priority due to the limited life of the current structure, and the vehicle restrictions operating on it.” says Louise.
‘It’s important to improve the flow on New Zealand’s key freight routes because the freight is forecast to increase by 70 to 75 per cent over the next 25 years. The bulk of this increase will be carried on our roads.
“The project also provides an opportunity to connect two Waikato river trails (walking and cycling projects) on opposite sides of the river via a pedestrian cycleway on the new bridge.
“Part of the existing state highway alignment will be converted into a parking area and rest area for the Waikato River Trail.
“The regional and national benefits of well-performing transport corridors and projects such as this really stimulate economic growth” says Louise.
