Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean ceremoniously turned the first sod using a shovel at least 100 years old, tossing the soil into a replica of the wheelbarrows used to build the Waitaki dam.
Waimate Mayor John Coles, Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton, contractors McConnell Dowell Constructors general manager Roger McRae and New Zealand Transport Authority regional director southern Jim Harland also lent a hand.
The project has been a long time coming - Mr Coles estimating there had been at least 20 years of lobbying. Mrs Dean said the presence of about 130 people at yesterday's launch showed the high level of anticipation and excitement on seeing work on ''these long-awaited new bridges'' poised to start.
When completed in about 18 months, the two-lane concrete bridges, with a safely separated pedestrian/cycle lane, would provide a secure link on State Highway 82, as well as a reliable alternative route for SH1 if it was closed, she said.
Mr Familton described the new bridges as a ''very vital project'' and said yesterday was a ''significant, historic day''.
Mr Coles said it was ''one of the greatest days'' in his almost nine years as Waimate mayor. Contractors McConnell Dowell Constructors will soon move on to Kurow Island and physical work is expected to start within the next month, between 15 and 20 people working on a typical day and, at peak times, between 20 and 30.
McConnell Dowell is the lead contractor, and the subcontractors are Rooney Earthmoving and Downer.
The bridges are expected to be finished between September and October next year.
