The Old Mangere Bridge, which crosses the Manukau Harbour and is one of Auckland's oldest transport connections, is to be replaced.
The historic bridge, linking Onehunga and Mangere Bridge, opened 97 years ago, in 1915. It replaced a wooden, one-way structure and is believed to be the oldest reinforced concrete bridge crossing a New Zealand harbour. When the new motorway across the harbour opened in 1983, the Old Mangere Bridge was closed to all traffic except walkers and cyclists and became a popular fishing spot.
Now the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Auckland Council plan to replace the old bridge within the next five years.
NZTA's acting state highways manager for Auckland and Northland, Steve Mutton, says the bridge has been a great servant to the Auckland community but needs to be replaced with a safer connection.