Maungatapu Bridge, Beam bridge in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand.
Maungatapu Bridge is a beam bridge crossing Tauranga Harbour and connecting the Matapihi and Maungatapu peninsulas in the Bay of Plenty. The structure carries two traffic lanes and a footpath for vehicles and pedestrians traveling between these residential areas.
The bridge opened in 1959 to serve State Highways 2 and 29 across the harbour. When the larger Tauranga Harbour Bridge opened in 2009, traffic on State Highway 2 shifted to the new route, leaving this bridge as a local connector.
The bridge links residential areas near the Opopoti Marae, where the Ngāi Te Rangi hapū of Ngāti He maintains their traditional meeting house.
The bridge is open to both vehicles and pedestrians crossing between the two peninsulas. Street lighting helps with visibility during evening hours, and an underpass below the bridge provides additional route options for ground-level travel.
The bridge underwent several renewal phases over the decades, most recently with the addition of modern street lighting and an underpass completed in 2018. These improvements enhanced safety and provided local residents with alternative pathways.
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