An artist's impression of the new pedestrian bridge at Pt Resolution on Tamaki Drive. Source / Auckland Transport
An artist's impression of the new pedestrian bridge at Pt Resolution on Tamaki Drive. Source / Auckland Transport
Tamaki Drive, the coastal road linking Auckland's CBD and the beachside eastern suburbs, will close to all traffic tonight at 10pm for work on a new pedestrian bridge at Pt Resolution.
The closure will allow a 450-tonne crane to lift two 60 tonne beams - the same weight about fourdouble-decker buses - on to the new pedestrian bridge.
The new pedestrian bridge will be constructed on the northern (sea) side of the existing Pt Resolution estuary bridge. The existing shared path on the bridge will be converted to continue the bi-directional cycleway.
The crane will be set up in two locations for the job. It will take 18 hours to set up, lift one beam into place and be dismantled before the process is repeated for the second beam.
The closure, between Quay St and the Ngapipi bridge, will be in place until Sunday evening. Diversions will be in place via Ngapipi Rd through Orakei, Remuera and Parnell to and from the CBD.
A lane for emergency vehicles will be maintained through the construction site. The footpath on the south side of Tamaki Drive will be open for pedestrians and people on bikes.
A map showing the section of Tamaki Drive closed this weekend. Source / Auckland Transport
The new pedestrian bridge is part of a $14.4 million upgrade of Tamaki Drive between Quay St that includes walking and cycling improvements and raising the road up to half a metre between the Outboard Boating Club and Ngapipi bridge.
Flooding has been a problem on Tamaki Drive, typically during king tides.
Tamaki Drive was completed in 1932. The 8km coastal road is a hugely popular walking, cycling and recreation attraction with beautiful harbour views and a main route to the suburbs of Orakei, Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers.
Ōrākei Local Board chairman Scott Milne said while the closure will cause inconvenience it will lead towards a safer and more user-friendly Tamaki Drive.
An Auckland Transport project director, David Nelson, said once complete, the new section of cycleway will connect with cycle routes to Glen Innes, Parnell and the central city.
