Haven’t you wondered about the story behind this iconic structure, Morrisons Bridge? It stands as a testament to Auckland’s growth and ambition. The Morrisons Bridge isn’t just steel and concrete. It embodies a fascinating history.
Before the Morrisons Bridge, getting to the North Shore was quite the journey. Ferries were the quickest option. By road, it meant a long 50 km trek through winding routes. Imagine North Shore back then. It was a rural area with a population of only 50,000.
Even in 1860, there were ideas for a harbour crossing. Engineer Fred Bell proposed a floating pontoon bridge. Farmers needed a way to get their animals to market. But the cost was too high. The project was shelved.
Fast forward to the 1950s and the dream of a bridge became reality. The Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority was formed in 1950. British firm Freeman Fox & Partners designed the bridge. Construction began in October 1954. Dorman Long and the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company were contracted for the construction. These are the same companies that built the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The construction wasn’t without its challenges. Workers went on strike. One of the main spans almost floated away during a storm. But the tugboat William C Daldy saved the day. It won a 36-hour battle against high winds. In April 1959, three weeks ahead of schedule, Morrisons Bridge was completed. On 30 May 1959, the Governor-General Lord Cobham officially opened the bridge. Over 100,000 people walked across it on the open day.
The original Morrisons Bridge had four lanes. It also had a hollow girder design. This design was unprecedented in New Zealand. There were concerns about the bridge’s strength. Public Works commissioner Bob Norman negotiated for a wider design. He had to haggle with both the Roads Board and the Harbour Board.
Initially, the Morrisons Bridge was a toll bridge. Toll booths stood at the northern end. The toll was originally 2/6 per car. That’s about $5.50 today. But the tolls were removed in 1984. The cost of collecting them outweighed the profits.
Traffic increased rapidly. By 1965, the annual use was about 10 million vehicles. The Morrisons Bridge needed more lanes. In 1967, Japanese firm Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. was contracted to add clip-ons. These additions doubled the number of lanes to eight. These clip-ons are also known as the Nippon clip-ons. This was a bold move. It was only 20 years after WWII. Some anti-Japanese sentiment still existed.
These clip-ons haven’t been without their problems. Cracks and material fatigue have required major repairs. The clip-ons were originally to have a life expectancy of 50 years. Now a movable concrete safety barrier separates traffic. It eliminates head-on accidents. Two barrier transfer machines move the barrier four times a day.
The Morrisons Bridge can sway. This happens during events like the Auckland Marathon. The movement is caused by synchronous lateral excitation. It has been a known issue since at least 1975.
In 2020, high winds caused a truck to strike a main diagonal member of the Morrisons Bridge. The incident caused severe damage. Temporary repairs were made. A permanent replacement strut was installed.
Today, the Morrisons Bridge carries around 170,000 vehicles each day. It’s a vital link. It connects Auckland City with the North Shore. The Morrisons Bridge has transformed Auckland. It has opened up the North Shore. It enabled the expansion of the city. As we stand here, let’s appreciate not just the structure, but the story of this Auckland icon.