Council to consider Cobham Drive bridge design

Months of planning, consultation and design have come to fruition in a concept plan for an overbridge across Hamilton’s Cobham Drive to be considered by the Hamilton’s City Council’s Strategy and Policy committee on Tuesday 22 March.

The concept is yet to be fully developed into a detailed plan, and there will be further periods of consultation and discussion with stakeholders before any final design is completed.

The bridge design provides safer access for pedestrians and cyclists across the busy State Highway, connecting Hamilton East and new Wairere Drive walking and cycling networks to paths and the award-winning Hamilton Gardens across Cobham Drive, and is part of the final stage of the Hamilton Ring Road project.


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

The final section, from Cambridge Road to Cobham Drive, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in late 2016. The $11m final stage includes an allowance of $2.5m for a pedestrian overbridge. The ring road project is jointly funded by Hamilton City Council and NZ Transport Agency.

The concept design is the result of an extensive stakeholder engagement process with input from the Urban Design Panel, Hamilton Gardens, NZ Transport Agency and walking and cycling advocacy groups.
“The concept offers an elegant and functional gateway to Hamilton, within budget and which reflects the local environment,” says the Council’s General Manager Infrastructure Chris Allen.

“The committee will consider the design on Tuesday and, if approved, further consultation and a more detailed design will be developed,” says Mr Allen.