Was it possible to travel between Māngere and Onehunga on foot at low tide? Yes, it was. That was before the first bridge. Māngere Bridge has a story that stretches back before cars and concrete.
The Māngere Bridge, officially called the Manukau Harbour Crossing, is more than just a way to get from Māngere to Onehunga. It is a dual motorway bridge. It crosses the Manukau Harbour in Auckland. This crossing links the suburb of Māngere Bridge to Onehunga.
Let’s step back in time. Before any bridge existed, a natural basalt rock causeway connected Māngere and Onehunga. At low tide, people could walk across. Only a small stream separated the two sides. In 1858, a decision was made to destroy a large section of the rock walkway with dynamite. This allowed more shipping in the harbour.
The initial Māngere Bridge was created in 1875. It was a narrow timber truss bridge. Reverend Dr Arthur Guyon Purchas designed it. The bridge’s timber piles from Australia were attacked by shipworms. By 1910, more than 30 piles had been replaced. The bridge was so narrow that pedestrians could barely pass a vehicle. It closed in 1914.
The old Māngere Bridge was replaced in January 1915. This ferro-concrete bridge was designed by R.F. Moore. It was built by the Ferro-Concrete Company of Australasia. The bridge was a substantial engineering achievement. It was 11.6 meters wide. It allowed for a double tram track. The bridge did not provide enough clearance for large boats. This bridge closed to motor vehicles in 1983.
Did you know a ship crashed into the old Māngere Bridge? In 2005, the Spirit of Resolution hit the bridge. The container transport attempted to leave a nearby port. Winds and a strong tide contributed to the accident.
Ngā Hau Māngere replaced the old Māngere Bridge in 2022. This new bridge is for walking, cycling, and fishing. It is wider than the old bridge. It allows small boats to pass underneath.
The current Māngere Bridge motorway bridge opened in 1983. By 2000, it carried 80,000 vehicles daily. It became prone to congestion. In 2010, a duplicate bridge opened. It doubled the traffic lanes to eight. It provided two additional bus lanes. Now, the total capacity is 10 lanes across the harbour.
Construction of the duplicate bridge experienced delays. There were disagreements over design and funding. The interchange was scaled down after community concerns.
The Māngere Bridge stands as a vital link. It connects communities and enables travel. This is while also respecting the area’s history. It has evolved from a natural causeway to a modern motorway. The Māngere Bridge continues to adapt to the needs of Auckland.