Perhaps you noticed that there was once another St Lukes Road Bridge. This is a story of change and progress here in Auckland. We are standing at the St Lukes Road Bridge. It is more than just a way to cross the motorway.
The old St Lukes Road Bridge was a familiar sight. It stood over the Northwestern Motorway. But time and progress wait for no bridge. In the mid 2010s, plans were made to improve the motorway. This meant the old bridge had to go.
Think back to early 2015. The new St Lukes Road Bridge was built just west of the old one. Then over one Easter weekend, traffic was switched to the new bridge. It was a big change. After that, the old bridge was no longer needed.
Imagine the careful work that followed. From late April to mid-May, the old St Lukes Road Bridge was deconstructed. An electric saw with a silencing blade was used. This was to keep the noise down for the community. The bridge was cut into four sections. Large trucks then moved the pieces offsite.
Brett Gliddon was the NZ Transport Agency State Highway Manager for Auckland and Northland. He said the deconstruction method was chosen to minimise impact. Road users and the local community were considered. The integrity of the bridge structure was maintained.
The deconstruction work happened during night closures. The motorway underneath the bridge was closed. But it was reopened by 5 am each morning. This minimised disruption during the day.
A new higher and wider bridge was built in its place. It ensures height safety clearance. This allows for additional motorway lanes underneath. The wider bridge is better for drivers, walkers and cyclists.
The St Lukes Road Upgrade project improved more than just the bridge. It widened a two kilometre section of the Northwestern Motorway. The motorway onramps and exits were improved. So was the intersection of St Lukes Road and Great North Road. The project began in June 2014 and finished in early 2016.
The NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport jointly funded the project. It shows how important this area is for Auckland’s transport network.
Today the St Lukes Road Bridge stands as a testament to progress. The old bridge is gone but not forgotten. It made way for something better. The new bridge helps more people. It helps drivers, walkers and cyclists get where they need to go. The St Lukes Road Bridge represents Auckland’s growth. It shows the city’s commitment to improving infrastructure for everyone.