The first traffic to cross the new Tauranga Harbour Bridge will do so on foot during a public open day on Sunday, September 6.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is organising the event to give people a preview of the bridge before it opens to vehicle traffic later this year. It runs from 10am-2pm, with no access to the bridge after 1.30pm.
More than 120 volunteers will be assisting with marshalling and safety on the day. They will also be collecting gold coin donations for Waipuna Hospice.
Some of the volunteers were part of the core group from the hospice who helped with the weekly launch of each 20-metre section of the bridge, feeding slipper pads under the moving bridge and monitoring pier movements.
The bridge's construction began on October 3, 2008 and it touched down on the Mount causeway on April 30 this year.
Project manager Kevin Reid says as soon as the open day finishes a temporary ramp will be built from Dive Crescent onto the new bridge and then traffic will switch from travelling on the old bridge, which will close for maintenance, to the new one.
'Where possible, on the Sunday we encourage motorists to use an alternative route to the harbour bridge, or allow more travel time as delays are expected,” says Kevin.
To alleviate traffic congestion in the area on the open day, free buses will be running between 9.45am and 2pm from two park-and-ride locations: the grassed area adjoining Totara St/Matai St/Tawa St/Puriri St, Mount Maunganui (access available from Tawa St), and on Durham St, near the Spring St Parking Building, which will have free parking. People can also catch Bay Hopper buses into the city, which operate on an hourly basis on Sundays.
Food and drink will be available on the day.
Waipuna Hospice fundraising manager Trish Rae says the event would be a great opportunity to do something with dads on Fathers' Day.
'This event has the potential to raise a significant amount of money for Waipuna Hospice and we encourage the community to join us on this historic occasion,” says Trish.
The historic ferry Kewpie, renamed The Southern Belle for the day, will be offering 90-minute cruises under the bridge and around Tauranga Harbour. Cruises depart from The Sebel Trinity Wharf at 10.30am and 1pm. There will be a Dixie Jazz Band on board and finger food and a glass of wine will be provided. Tickets cost $50 per person, available from Waipuna Hospice or at www.waipuna-hospice.co.nz $42 from each ticket goes to Waipuna Hospice.
The Lobster Restaurant is also supporting the hospice by donating 10 per cent of turnover from 10am-5pm and from any dinner bookings made in person before 4pm.