The first time we took the bus over the old (one lane) Kopu bridge will also be the last time - the flash new bridge is now open for business, with a lane for each direction of travel.
No doubt fading memories will make people think fondly of the old bridge, but it really was the stuff of holiday-makers' nightmares. One lane, very long, and blocking their way to all those lovely Coromandel beaches.
Many hours were lost sitting in cars on the side of the road, baking in the summer heat. Waiting for a chance to cross the bridge, constantly doing the mental arithmetic to work out the revised arrival time at the bach, or how much daylight would be left to pitch the tent in.
We drove over the old bridge on the day the new bridge was opened up for foot traffic and hordes of people were taking their chance to walk over and have a look around.
In a few months, people will barely remember the excitement, and very few will even bother to look down at the old bridge as they whizz by.
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| Waiting our turn to cross |
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| The old bridge looks dreadfully worn next to the new one |
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| A very small queue waiting on the other side, compared to what would be seen in summer |
It'fs funny how often the old gets forgotten when a newer, better, brighter something comes along although I am sure that nobody will mind not having to queue to cross the bridge !
ReplyDeleteFunny how people can get nostalgic about how tough it used to be. I'm sure that deep down no body will miss the queues though the stop/go man is now out of a job! Probably a good thing.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
xxx