“Beep, beep,” goes the bus. Imagine you are standing here on the Constellation Drive Bridge. This bridge isn’t just concrete and steel. It is a vital part of Auckland’s transport network.
The Constellation Drive Bridge is part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. This project aims to improve transport for the Albany and North Harbour community. The bridge helps extend the Northern Busway to Albany. It provides a safe way for people to reach the Constellation Bus Station. The Constellation Drive Bridge includes a walking and cycling path.
Before this bridge was erected, large bridge beams were installed. This happened over two nights in September 2020. Twelve 50-tonne beams were lifted into place by cranes. These beams each measured 24 meters.
The Northern Corridor Improvements include a new motorway connection. This connects SH1 and SH18. It opens up access to the Western Ring Route and travel to the airport. The project delivers more than 7kms of walking and cycling paths. It also provides many local road and park connections.
While we’re talking bridges, let’s journey back in time. Let’s explore another of Auckland’s famous bridges. This one is the Grafton Bridge. Completed in 1910, the Grafton Bridge was once the largest reinforced concrete arch bridge. It was quite an achievement.
The Grafton Bridge took two and a half years to build. Its twin arches spanned 97.6 metres. They rose 43.3 metres above the valley floor. The Grafton Bridge was a pioneering structure. It showcased early use of reinforced concrete in New Zealand.
Interestingly, an Australian company designed and built the Grafton Bridge. The Ferro-Concrete Company of Australasia Limited constructed it. Auckland City Council received two tenders in 1907. One was for a steel bridge. The other was for a reinforced concrete bridge. The council chose the concrete design. It thought the ongoing maintenance costs would be lower.
During construction of the Grafton Bridge, timber falsework was massive. It consisted of 943 cubic metres of West Australian jarrah and Oregon pine. Concrete was made of beach shingle using local cement. The Ferro-Concrete Company ran into trouble. The site was difficult. There were problems with the formwork. The company went bankrupt. Council labour completed the Grafton Bridge.
Load tests were carried out on the Grafton Bridge. The results were satisfactory. Maintenance on the Grafton Bridge was very low for a quarter of a century. In 1936, some cracks became worse. Repairs were needed. Steel trusses were erected on the deck. The openings were filled with concrete.
Today, the Grafton Bridge still carries traffic. It stands tall over motorway lanes. Heritage New Zealand recognizes it as a Category 1 historic place. In 1990, a plaque was unveiled to mark its significance.
Like the Grafton Bridge, the Constellation Drive Bridge serves an important purpose. It helps people get where they need to go. As you continue your journey, remember the Constellation Drive Bridge. Remember its role in connecting communities.