Fairfield Bridge cements reputation as city icon

It has long been identified as one of Hamilton’s most recognisable structures, and now the Fairfield Bridge has cemented its spot as a city icon.

The tier-arched bridge, one of six road bridges spanning the Waikato River in the city, has earned the NZ Concrete Society’s Enduring Concrete Award at the society’s annual conference at Claudelands, held on October 13 and 14.

The bridge, with its three 8-metre high arches, was designed by Stanley Jones and completed in 1937 by Roose Shipping after a three-year construction period. The £24,000 construction was financed by the New Zealand Government, Hamilton Borough Council and Waikato Council. Construction required 3000 cubic metres of concrete and 270 tonnes of reinforcing steel.

“The Fairfield Bridge is Hamilton’s most easily identified bridge, and it carries a New Zealand Historic Places Trust Category 1 listing. The NZ Concrete Society’s award further enhances its reputation as a Hamilton icon, and shows what a fine original design it was,” says Deputy Mayor Gordon Chesterman.

Mr Chesterman says organisations can not apply for NZ Concrete Society Awards: structures are nominated and judged by industry representatives.

Fairfield Bridge underwent a $623,000 upgrade in 1991, and average daily traffic across the bridge is 19,100 vehicles. The bridge even has its own listing on Wikipedia.