June 2021 photo from the project site - completed pier two

Onsite update

The first of our two large piers (pier two) which will hold up the central deck and arch section is now complete with the final of 54 sheet piles removed last week. Compared to the small piers, these large piers have four columns instead of two and require eight times the amount of concrete and reinforcing steel bars to build.

Another small pier (pier seven) has also been completed and if you’re walking on the SH20 underpass and look out to the work site below, it’s the most southern pier. You can see the top of the columns sticking out the cofferdam which will be removed towards the end of the year. We’re busy working on another small pier (pier four) and currently preparing to construct the pile cap that forms the base.

The team is also focusing on installing the concrete beams for the next two spans for the bridge deck and will build four extra spans of the western temporary working platform which we need to continue deconstructing the Old Māngere Bridge. Once that’s been completed, we’ll carry on deconstructing the old bridge next month.

One of the installed fascia panels

Fascia panel installation begins

The new bridge has been designed to reflect a waka travelling south in acknowledgement of the passage along the Otahuhu portage. As on the hull of a waka, a pattern will feature on the side of the bridge and a Puhoro design has been chosen to symbolise the movement through water. There will be 272 of these panels running the length of the bridge on either side and so far, we’ve installed the first four.

The artwork on and around the bridge abutments will help tell the stories of the area and provide greater context around guardianship of the harbour and we’ll share more information on the designs in future updates.

Left: Māngere Bridge walkers group. Right: Māngere Bridge Residents and Ratepayers Association.

Sharing project updates with local community

In early June we updated the members of the Māngere Bridge Residents and Ratepayers Association (MBR&RA) about the project. This was a great opportunity to meet locals from the community and our thanks to the MBR&RA for the warm welcome and all the great questions we were asked too.

We also joined the Māngere Bridge Walkers Group when they were out and about in mid-June.  One of the lookout areas along the SH20 underpass was the perfect place for the group to get a great view of all that’s happening on site.

If you run or attend a community group and would like us to come along to share an update, contact us via omb@nzta.govt.nz and a member of the team will be in touch.

Connecting communities

For more information on the Old Māngere Bridge replacement project, freephone 0508 623 266 or contact us at omb@nzta.govt.nz

Or visit our website https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/old-mangere-bridge-replacement-project