It is also the name of the three-lane bridge connecting the Hutt City central business district with State Highway 2, a route subject to extensive congestion at peak times.

From the Melling Bridge it is possible to drive straight ahead into the hill suburbs of Harbour View and Tirohanga.

Improved interchanges are planned for the Melling and Kennedy-Good bridges.

The name came about after then-Premier Seddon revisited England and his friend Melling in 1897.

Melling had never visited New Zealand, and the local settlers intended to change the name to one of greater significance.