Bealey Bridge opening, September 12, 1936

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Description90 Years ago today in New Zealand history, 12 September, 1936, our trusty Bealey Bridge was opened for business.

Spanning the Waimakariri River at Bealey, the bridge eliminated one of the most treacherous and unpredictable obstacles on the highway between Canterbury and the West Coast. I think it also put the boot into the infrastructure either end of the river ford, especially the Bealey Hotel (better 'discover' some moas guys..) Certainly nobody was going to pay for a vehicular ferry now.

Newly empowered Labour 1.0 Minister Bob Semple, officially opened the bridge by cutting a ceremonial ribbon using a pair of gold scissors. Bob's power base was on the Coast so he knew this crossing very well. The way was not yet clear though, Bob's own car was abandoned on the way to the ceremony- stuck at Bruce Creek- so he promised a bridge there too.

It rained like hell on the day so those 200 gathered retreated back to the Bealey Hotel for beer and speeches.

Today it's still just single lane and there is no plaque indicating anything about the bridge's history. It has lasted very well and great value for £16,735 because you know it would cost more, take longer, and break rapidly if built in the 2020s!

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Image ref. William (Bill) Penman worked on this bridge as a blacksmith and took this photo, Louise Lockie. 2018 Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt
Image ref. Bealey Bridge, AHNZ Archive (2020) See less
Date of Photo1936ContributorAnarchist History of New Zealand

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EventBealey Bridge opening, September 12, 1936

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Bealey Bridge opening, September 12, 1936

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