For Waitaki and Waimate district residents, Saturday's opening of the second and last of the two new bridges over the Waitaki River marked the start of a new chapter in the area's history.
The bridge, part of a $20.1 million investment by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), was officially opened by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean and then 400 people walked across the structure to celebrate.
Though traffic can now cross the two-lane bridges, they will remain single-lane until the 133-year-old timber bridges have been demolished.
The Waimate and North Otago highland pipe bands joined forces to lead Saturday's procession over the new bridge, in a repeat of the opening ceremony of the State Highway 1 bridge at Glenavy 58 years ago.
Piper Russell Powell, of Waimate, and drummer Rex Murray, who both played at the 1956 opening, were together again for Saturday's procession.
In addition to Mrs Dean, the 400-strong crowd was addressed by NZTA southern regional director Jim Harland, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley and Waimate district councillor Peter McIlraith, of the Hakataramea-Waihourunga ward, before the public gathered for the ribbon-cutting.
Mr McIlraith's address drew sustained applause after he acknowledged the work of the Government, NZTA, the contractors and workers, but he told the crowd they were the real heroes, in his opinion.
''I don't see these bridges as some benevolent act from above - I see it as justification for the hard work and productivity that has been delivered over the last 130 years,'' he said.
''I think of the shearers that trundled along those old bridges before daylight to do a day's work, of the transport trucks and operators, of the vets, of the emergency services, of the stock agents, the beekeepers and everybody else that made it such a thriving community,'' he said.
''I think of the cattle, the milk, the honey, the lamb, the grain, the wine and the produce that's come out of this district to feed the world.
''This community deserves this asset after 130 years of tenacity and hard work ... now enjoy it.''
Mrs Dean said the bridges connected the Kurow and Hakataramea communities in ''emphatic fashion''.
Mr Kircher said the Waitaki and Waimate districts, and beyond, would reap the rewards of the investment and the returns to the country would go on for many decades.
''Kurow and Hakataramea communities now have a modern lifeline connecting them well into the future, a vital artery to keep the social and economic heart of these communities beating strongly for many years to come,'' he said.
Mr Rowley said the opening would form a significant part of local history.
''These new bridges provide a safe and dependable connection between the Kurow and Hakataramea communities and with the opening we also take another step towards strengthening the economic development and tourism for both the Waimate and Waitaki regions,'' he said.
Both new bridges include a barrier-separated pathway for cyclists and pedestrians.
