Rona Williamson, who is in her 80s, helped Deputy Prime Minister and Clutha-South-land MP Bill English cut the ribbon in a brief ceremony on Saturday that signalled the end of a $1.65 million sealing project.
More than 200 people gathered at the Kaka Point end of the Karoro Creek Rd for the event that featured a parade of motorcycles.
Their riders had gathered at the nearby Willsher Bay Domain for the annual Penguin Rally.
One of those motorcycles, ridden by Balclutha enthusiast John Hasler, took centre stage moments after the ribbon-cutting, when Mrs Williamson hopped on the back and was taken on a very brief but significant ride.
It may have been a 10m journey but it signalled the first official transport on the recently sealed road.
Contractors, council officials and Mr English then gathered at the Kaka Point Community Hall for speeches and afternoon tea.
The two roads are part of the Kaka Point loop of the Southern Scenic Route, connecting the township (and the Nugget Point Lighthouse Rd) to the Owaka Highway and The Catlins.
The $1.65 million sealing project was funded with help from the Regional R Fund, made available by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) through the extra 5c fuel tax which has been levied per litre of fuel sold since 2005.
Through the fund NZTA paid about $1.16 million and the other $490,000 was funded by a council loan.
Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes said the sealing of the 4.84km Karoro Creek Rd and 840m of Ahuriri Flat Rd had created a safer environment for locals and tourists alike.
