Nelson Street Cycleway bridge on its way

Pieces that make up the Canada St Bridge will be transported from the factory in Pukekoheto the CMJ where they will be lifted into place. Photo: NZTA

An iconic component of the Nelson St Cycleway, the Canada St Bridge, is taking shape and being transported to Auckland's Central Motorway Junction (CMJ) project site in mammoth sections starting this week.

Over the next month large pieces that make up the Canada St Bridge will be transported from the factory in Pukekohe, where they've been painted, through Auckland, to the CMJ where they will be lifted into place.

The NZ Transport Agency's State Highways Manager, Brett Gliddon says anyone using State Highway 1 or the local roads while these bridge sections are being moved won't be able to miss it because of their large scale.

"The structure is certainly impressive in terms of its engineering, architectural design and size, and a number of full motorway closures will be necessary to transport and install the bridge. We will do everything we can to minimise the disruption and hope road users are patient while we carry out work on this vital link in the Auckland Cycle Network."

The structure will connect Canada St with the old Nelson St off-ramp by crossing the Central Motorway Junction. The Nelson St Cycleway, which connects the Northwestern Cycleway, Grafton Gully and the waterfront, forms a crucial link in the Auckland Cycle Network to promote cycling as a safe and convenient mode of transport throughout the city.

Phase 1 of the Nelson Street Cycleway from Upper Queen Street to Victoria Street West is expected to be completed in December. Phase 2 will continue to Quay Street and consultation for this section is due to get underway soon. More information is available at www.at.govt.nz.

The Nelson St Cycleway is being funded through the Urban Cycleway Programme (UCP) and is being jointly delivered by Auckland Council, the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport. The UCP will accelerate key projects over the next three years and help establish cycling as an integral part of Auckland's transport network.

The 160m steel Canada St Bridge weighs 260 tonnes and is being constructed in eight smaller sections. Since mid-July, 3 sections varying between 14 and 42 metres have been transported overnight from a Hamilton factory to Pukekohe for painting and erosion protection. Sections are being delivered to the paint shop every 8 to 10 days up until September. The bridge will then be erected in stages during September.

"Our Hamilton-based fabricators are working around the clock to deliver the bridge on time," says Mr Gliddon. "We're looking forward to getting it in place safely and securely."

While the bridge is being built off-site, there's also plenty of progress at the Nelson St site including improvements on the old motorway off-ramp and upgrades at the Union/Nelson and Pitt/Hobson St intersections. Work on the dedicated cycleway down Nelson St to Victoria St West is also underway.

SH1 closure details
Full southbound motorway closures from Cook St off-ramp to Symonds St on-ramp 10pm to 5am:
· 20 & 23 August

· 30 August

· 7, 8, 9, 10 September

Detour information:
· Detour for North Shore traffic heading south: take Port Link to Wellesley St East on-ramp to re-join SH1 (map below)

· Detour for inner-city traffic: Hobson St on-ramp will be closed, please take K-Rd to Symonds St on-ramp

· SH16 will remain open

· SH1 southbound closures also required late September and will be advised closer to the time