Mangere Bridge

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For the suburb of the same name at the south end of the bridge, see Mangere Bridge (suburb), New Zealand

Mangere Bridge normally refers to motorway bridge over the Manukau Harbour in south-western Auckland, New Zealand, crossing between the suburb also known as Mangere Bridge and the suburb of Onehunga. Completed in 1983, it carries a four-lane motorway with a cycle and pedestrian lane suspended underneath the west side of it. Currently, planning is underway to duplicate the bridge to cater for increased traffic.

1 History
2 Bridge duplication
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

The Mangere Bridge replaced an earlier bridge (built in 1914), which was closed in the 1970s to all but foot traffic^[1], and is slowly deteriorating, especially after it sustained damage when a ship accidentally rammed it some years ago. A second ship, the 300 ft container transport Spirit of Resolution, crashed into the old bridge on 8 October 2005 during 140 km/h winds, despite the ship's engines being on full, causing further damage.

It was envisioned that this bridge will be dismantled and replaced by a newly designed footbridge. However, complaints about this course have for now (2006) stopped these plans while 'heritage options' are being considered aspart of the general transport plans in the area.^[1]

[edit] Bridge duplication

[edit] Project history

On 17 May 2006 Finance Minister Michael Cullen announced in the Budget that funds were being allocated to Land Transport New Zealand, to help the National Land Transport Programme accelerate certain projects. This includes bringing forward the widening of the existing crossing of the Manukau Harbour (1983 Mangere Bridge) by duplicating the original to the east. The 2006/07 National Land Transport Programme indicates that only $2.78 million funding is currently approved for investigation of the project. However, Transit New Zealand may apply for additional $1.5 million for further investigation of this project in the current financial year. The bridge is currently expected to cost NZ$ 330 million.^[2]

A crucial part of the Manukau Harbour Crossing Project, the duplication of the Mangere Bridge would result in the widening of the existing carriageway from four lanes to eight lanes between the Onehunga interchange and the Mahunga Drive/Rimu Road interchange. Bus lanes will be provided on the shoulders of the bridge. The bridge will be duplicated to the east, with a fewer number of piles than the current bridge. However, these piles will be located to match the existing ones, to minimise any negative visual impact. Noise walls are proposed as part of the project along significant lengths of the motorway.

[edit] Tolling

Transit New Zealand has recently indicated that it will not seek a decision on funding the bridge via road tolls before starting work on construction. Auckland International Airport had accused Transit of threatening to defer the project if it could not gain backing from the public and local Councils. As the bridge is to be finished for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, further delays would possibly result in the bridge not being completed in time.^[2]

[edit] Wider area

As a wider part of the Manukau Harbour Crossing Project, the motorway will be widened between Walmsley Road in the south and Queenstown Road in the north from four lanes to six lanes. This widening will predominantly take place to the east of the existing motorway. The Onehunga interchange (known as the Gloucester Park Interchange) will be significantly reworked, to provide a more logical link with the motorway, and to ease congestion along Onehunga Harbour Drive. A standard diamond interchange was initially chosen by Transit New Zealand, but after consultation with Auckland City Council this has been reworked into a quarter-diamond design, with the northbound onramp hooking underneath the proposed Neilson Road bridge.

As part of that investigation, Transit New Zealand may consider whether it is worthwhile to toll new capacity to assist in funding its construction. This could be in the form of tolling the new lanes along this route, which would ensure an untolled alternative is available, while the tolled new lanes would be far less congested.

[edit] Rail link

Recently (early 2007) Transit New Zealand has indicated that it would be 'more than willing' to develop a bridge that could also accommodate rail transport, intended for a possible future Auckland City-Auckland International Airport rail link. A combination solution is now being debated which would see a rail link use the same bridge foundations. The change came after repeated lobbying by the Auckland Regional Council, which was of the opinion that a previous provision - restricted to allowing space for an additional, but separate bridge - was not sufficient. ^[3]