Upokongaro Bridge records more than 366,000 crossings since opening five years ago

The Upokongaro Bridge, which officially opened five years ago, is popular with pedestrians and cyclists. Photo / Fin Ocheduszko Brown

The Upokongaro Bridge near Whanganui has been hailed as a “game changer” since its opening five years ago.

More than 366,000 people have crossed the Whanganui River on the $3.4 million bridge on foot or by bike.

Nearly 130,000 people crossed the bridge in 2021 alone.

rel="" title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/new-cycle-bridge-expected-to-draw-summer-crowds-to-upokongaro-village-near-whanganui/EGQBLHUOZSKBUTXSLTY5COIQTI/">The bridge officially opened on December 2, 2020, and 18,000 people crossed it that month.

It was built as the final missing link in the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride that would complete the cycling connection into Whanganui.

Trail manager Lynley Twyman said the bridge had grown to be more than a cycling connection.

“It has become one of Whanganui’s most cherished public spaces; a place where people walk, ride, commute, connect and simply enjoy the awa,” Twyman said.

“It’s now one of the region’s most heavily used active-transport routes.”

Of the nearly 130,000 users in 2021, just shy of 100,000 were pedestrians, signalling the bridge had become a walking route first and a cycling route second, Twyman said.

In 2024, pedestrians outnumbered cyclists by nearly 10,000.

Whanganui & Partners’ visitor industries strategic lead, Paul Chaplow, said the bridge had been “a game changer for Upokongaro”.

“It’s been a really nice way for people to get some exercise and have a little cafe option when you cross over the bridge,” he said.

“Creating stuff for visitors is often beneficial for communities. It has been a wonderful addition to Whanganui for the last five years; there’s no complaints about it at all – it has been great.”

Behind the Door on 4 cafe in Upokongaro has benefited from the Upokongaro Bridge, with many cyclists popping in for food and drinks. Photo / Fin Ocheduszko Brown

Chaplow, a cycling enthusiast, said it had been helpful for cyclists who wanted to get off the 100km/h speed limit State Highway 4.

He said it had become part of a loop journey for road cyclists.

The bridge serves as an optional route for Te Araroa Trail hikers, Tour Aotearoa backpackers and day trippers.

Jill Marshall, of Upokongaro cafe Behind the Door on 4, said the business had benefited from the bridge.

“It has had a huge impact on the cafe on a positive side,” Marshall said.

“A lot of customers have been very impressed with the bridge.”

Marshall, who has worked at the cafe for three years, said a mix of people used the bridge.

“Tourists will come, walk the bridge and then come back to the cafe to sit down for food,” she said.

“A lot of out-of-town people come too – a few of them just had heard about the bridge and came to have a look at it.”

Twyman said as travel patterns settled beyond the pandemic, usage had stabilised at more than 50,000 crossings every year.

As of December 10, 51,450 crossings were recorded for 2025.

Upokongaro School’s learning support co-ordinator, Sarndra Vincent, said a lot of the pupils used the bridge.

“It’s great for getting kids to school,” Vincent said.

“We used to have three vans running up Aramoho and into town, but now we only have a couple of vans and most of our kids that live over that side walk across the bridge.”

Vincent said the bridge had enabled the senior students to cycle to the Aramoho Cemetery.

“It’s just connected the whole route, right round, for the kids cycling, so that’s been fantastic,” she said.

Twyman said the bridge was a success story that belonged to Whanganui.

“This bridge is more than infrastructure; it has created lasting memories and stands as a legacy for Whanganui and its communities,” Twyman said.

“This bridge enriches community life, welcomes visitors and celebrates the journey from mountains to sea – all in one elegant span.”

Twyman said the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride’s next goal was to finish the other gaps in the network in Whanganui and beyond for everyone to connect.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.