Media release

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Waterfront promenade takes shape as Wynyard Crossing bridge spans installed

The first of two 29 tonne bridge spans forming the opening section of Wynyard Crossing is in place, and the second span will be installed over the coming weeks.

Wynyard Crossing is the new pedestrian and cycling bridge providing a link across the inner Viaduct Harbour between Te Wero Island in the east and Gateway Plaza in the west. It is 100 metres long, six metres wide and has a navigation span of 36 metres.

“This link is a vital component in our waterfront design,” says John Dalzell, Chief Executive of Waterfront Auckland.

“By August of this year, Wynyard Crossing will provide direct access from the Auckland Viaduct to Wynyard Quarter where locals and visitors alike will be able to reconnect with the Waitemata harbour edge, buy fresh fish from boats unloading at North Wharf, visit the new Viaduct Events Centre, enjoy Auckland’s newest range of eateries, restaurants and bars right on the water’s edge, and stroll west to a new children’s’ playground and park overlooking Westhaven Marina.”

Wynyard Crossing is a double bascule (opening) bridge and consists of three approach spans, a back span and a lifting section. An observation deck on the eastern side provides a convenient access point to view the Viaduct Harbour and bridge operation.

The first stage of the Wynyard Crossing construction involved driving 24 steel piles in to the seabed using machinery operating from a 24 metre x 18 metre jack up barge. In March, the fixed bridge spans on either side of the channel were lifted in to place and two steel chambers housing two 30 kilowatt hydraulic pump and winches required to lift the bridge were installed.

The first 22 metre long six metre wide opening span was lifted on to a barge and floated to the middle of the channel before being hoisted into place by a 90 tonne crane. The second span arrives this week, will be lifted on to the barge and installed on the western side of the channel next week.

An 18 metre channel has remained in place during construction of the bridge and installation of the first bridge span, apart from a brief period when the span was lifted in to place. The channel will be restricted to 18 metres while the second bridge span is installed.

Mr Dalzell says once completed, the bridge spans will remain ‘open’ until construction work at Gateway Plaza, the western point at which Wynyard Crossing lands within Wynyard Quarter, is completed in July.

When operational, Wynyard Crossing will provide a 36 metre channel clearance when open. The bridge will take 1.5 minutes to open and 1 minute to close after boats have travelled through the channel, and will be operated by Waterfront Auckland. At high tide, there will be a three metre clearance beneath the bridge, which means smaller vessels will be able to pass underneath when the bridge is closed.

ENDS

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