Artists impression of the Hendon Footbridge which will form part of the new Waterview Connection. Photo / Supplied
Artists impression of the Hendon Footbridge which will form part of the new Waterview Connection. Photo / Supplied
Cyclists and walkers can look forward to another spectacular new bridge over Auckland's motorway network, this time in Owairaka as part of the $1.4 billion Waterview Connection project.
Just days after opening its shared-use "Lightpath" high above Spaghetti Junction last week to connect with Auckland Transport's new protected cycleway downNelson St, the Government's Transport Agency has installed a 110-tonne arch on a sweeping footbridge it is building over its motorway extension through Owairaka to Waterview.
Although the Waterview Connection's main features are a pair of three lane vehicle tunnels from Alan Wood Park to Waterview, those account for just half of a 4.8km traffic link between the Southwestern and Northwestern motorways.
The 300-metre bridge is being built over a surface section on the link, to connect the two communities of New Windsor and Owairaka at Hendon Ave.
It will also provide a connection between Owairaka and new sportsfields being developed off Valonia St, as well as a cycleway and footpath to be built for $22.5 million over the Waterview tunnels and above Oakley Creek in a joint venture with Auckland Council, as a condition of the agency's resource consent for the motorway project.
Transport Agency northern highways manager Brett Gliddon says the bridge, due to open early in 2017 at the same time as the tunnels, will be "a stunning addition to the landscape".
"As well as looking spectacular, the real beauty of this bridge is the way it will help connect two communities," he said today.
"It's a pleasure to be able to incorporate community facilities into large infrastructure projects like the Waterview Connection."
