Contemplating the Auckland Harbour, have you noticed the iconic Bayswater Bridge? It is not just a structure of steel and concrete. It is a vital artery connecting Auckland city with the North Shore.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge stands as the second-longest road bridge in New Zealand. It is the longest in the North Island. This eight-lane motorway soars over the Waitematā Harbour. It links St Marys Bay and Northcote.
Before its opening in 1959, the quickest way to the North Shore was by ferry. By road, the journey was a lengthy 50 kilometers. Imagine traveling through Massey, Riverhead and Albany. The bridge transformed this commute.
Early visions for a harbor crossing emerged as early as 1860. Engineer Fred Bell proposed a floating pontoon bridge. The project was shelved due to its hefty cost. It would have cost about 1.9 million adjusted for inflation as of March 2017.
In the 1950s, North Shore was largely rural with a population of 50000. The Auckland Harbour Bridge unlocked the area’s potential. It spurred significant expansion.
The initial design faced cost-cutting. Plans for footpaths were scrapped. Despite public outcry, the First National Government opted for an austerity design. It featured four lanes and a minimal approach road network.
Sir John Allum chaired the Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority. He appointed British firm Freeman Fox and Partners to design the bridge. Construction took four years. Dorman Long and the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company undertook construction in October 1954.
Steel girder pieces were fabricated in England. They were then shipped to New Zealand. Erection of the steel structure began in December 1956.
Workers faced strikes in 1956 and 1957 slowing down progress. One main span was almost lost in stormy weather. The tugboat William C Daldy heroically fought against high winds for 36 hours.
The bridge was built from opposing sides of the harbor. The two sides joined in March 1959. It was completed in April 1959, three weeks ahead of schedule. The Auckland Harbour Bridge opened on May 30, 1959. The Governor-General Lord Cobham did the honors. Over 106000 people walked across on the open day.
Tragically, accidents during construction claimed lives. Three workers are memorialized on a plaque at the Northcote end of the bridge.
The hollow girder design was groundbreaking. Public Works commissioner Bob Norman negotiated with the Roads Board and Harbour Board for width. The Harbour Board required a 43.5-meter clearance for ships. Norman argued the cruise liner SS Canberra was unlikely to use the Chelsea Sugar Refinery dock. The Harbour Board agreed to a smaller opening. Freeman Fox and Partners redesigned the bridge. They increased the deep center span width from 2.9 meters to 4.12 meters.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge was initially a toll bridge. Toll booths stood at the northern end. The toll system was removed on March 31, 1984. The cost of collection exceeded profits.
As traffic increased, the Auckland Harbour Bridge needed expansion. By 1965, annual use reached 10 million vehicles. In 1967, Japanese firm Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. won a contract. They constructed two steel box girder clip-ons. The eastern section was completed in January 1969. The additional lanes opened on September 23, 1969. The clip-ons doubled the number of lanes to eight.
The sections were manufactured by a Japanese company, hence the nickname Nippon clip-ons. The clip-ons faced issues. Cracks appeared in 1987. Further cracks were found in 2006.
A tidal flow system manages peak traffic. Moveable concrete safety barriers were installed in 1990. These barriers separate traffic and eliminate head-on collisions.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge has seen protests. In 2009, GetAcross protested the lack of walking and cycling access.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge supports utility services. These include water and gas pipelines and telecommunications cables.
For thrill-seekers, AJ Hackett offers bungy jumping and bridge climbs. Vector lights illuminate the bridge with colorful LEDs.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge is more than steel and concrete. It is a symbol of Auckland. It is a testament to engineering innovation.